:2017–18 Principality Premiership

The Principality Premiership's structure has altered from the previous season. The teams will be split into two conferences (East and West) for the first half of the season. Each team will play each other team in their conference home and away. After 14 rounds, The league is amalgamated and all points reset to zero. However, clubs are awarded points based on their finishing position in their respective conference e.g. the 1st place team in a conference will receive 8 points, 2nd place – 7 points etc. right down to 8th place – 1 point. Each team will then play the other once, either home or away, for a grand total of 29 games. Unlike previous seasons, the winner will be determined by league position and not a play off system. Therefore, the league leader will be declared champions. This is the second season in which the "ring-fenced" system will be implemented, meaning no team is in danger of relegation until the 2018–19 season. However, ring-fencing will be under review at the end of this season.

The same 16 teams that competed the previous season competed again this season. Merthyr were the reigning champions having beaten Aberavon 22–18 in last year's final.

{{location map+ |Wales |float= |width=500 |caption= Locations of the 2017–18 Principality Premiership teams with colour markers to represent the region they belong to:

Orange = Dragons

Blue = Cardiff Blues

Black = Ospreys

Red = Scarlets

• RGC acts as a de facto club representing North Wales

|places=

{{location map~ |Wales |lat=51.59 |long=-2.99 |label_size=90|label=Newport|position=right|mark=orange pog.svg}}

{{location map~ |Wales |lat=51.69 |long=-3.23 |label_size=90|label=Bargoed|position=right|mark=orange pog.svg}}

{{location map~ |Wales |lat=51.78 |long=-3.21 |label_size=90|label=Ebbw Vale|position=right|mark=orange pog.svg}}

{{location map~ |Wales |lat=51.60 |long=-3.34 |label_size=90|label=Pontypridd|position=top|mark=Blue pog.svg}}

{{location map~ |Wales |lat=51.48 |long=-3.18 |label_size=90|label=Cardiff|position=bottom|mark=Blue pog.svg}}

{{location map~ |Wales |lat=51.75 |long=-3.38 |label_size=90|label=Merthyr|position=left|mark=Blue pog.svg}}

{{location map~ |Wales |lat=51.62 |long=-3.12 |label_size=90|label=Cross Keys|position=right|mark=orange pog.svg}}

{{location map~ |Wales |lat=51.59 |long=-3.20 |label_size=90|label=Bedwas|position=bottom|mark=orange pog.svg}}

{{location map~ |Wales |lat=51.66 |long=-3.81 |label_size=90|label=Neath|position=right|mark=Black pog.svg}}

{{location map~ |Wales |lat=51.51 |long=-3.58 |label_size=90|label=Bridgend|position=right|mark=Black pog.svg}}

{{location map~ |Wales |lat=51.61 |long=-3.96 |label_size=90|label=Swansea|position=left|mark=Black pog.svg}}

{{location map~ |Wales |lat=51.59 |long=-3.78 |label_size=90|label=Aberavon|position=bottom|mark=Black pog.svg}}

{{location map~ |Wales |lat=51.86 |long=-4.32 |label_size=90|label=Carmarthen Quins|position=top|mark=Red pog.svg}}

{{location map~ |Wales |lat=51.68 |long=-4.13 |label_size=90|label=Llanelli|position=top|mark=Red pog.svg}}

{{location map~ |Wales |lat=53.29 |long=-3.72 |label_size=90|label=RGC 1404*|position=top|mark=Green pog.svg}}

{{location map~ |Wales |lat=52.01 |long=-3.77 |label_size=90|label=Llandovery|position=right|mark=Red pog.svg}}

}}

{{#invoke:Sports table|main|style=Rugby

| title = 2017–18 Principality Premiership Table (East)

| team1 = MER | name_MER = Merthyr

| team2 = PON | name_PON = Pontypridd

| team3 = BDW | name_BDW = Bedwas

| team4 = CAR | name_CAR = Cardiff

| team5 = NEW | name_NEW = Newport

| team6 = CKE | name_CKE = Cross Keys

| team7 = EVA | name_EVA = Ebbw Vale

| team8 = BAR | name_BAR = Bargoed

| win_MER = 11 | draw_MER = 0 | loss_MER = 3| pf_MER = 480 | pa_MER = 338 | tf_MER = 68 | ta_MER = 38 | tb_MER = 10 | lb_MER = 1

| win_PON = 11 | draw_PON = 0 | loss_PON = 3| pf_PON = 426 | pa_PON = 313 | tf_PON = 55 | ta_PON = 42 | tb_PON = 8 | lb_PON = 1

| win_BDW = 9 | draw_BDW = 0 | loss_BDW = 5| pf_BDW = 385 | pa_BDW = 276 | tf_BDW = 47 | ta_BDW = 31 | tb_BDW = 5 | lb_BDW = 2

| win_CAR = 7 | draw_CAR = 0 | loss_CAR = 7| pf_CAR = 339 | pa_CAR = 323 | tf_CAR = 38 | ta_CAR = 40 | tb_CAR = 3 | lb_CAR = 3

| win_NEW = 6 | draw_NEW = 0 | loss_NEW = 8| pf_NEW = 366 | pa_NEW = 406 | tf_NEW = 48 | ta_NEW = 55 | tb_NEW = 5 | lb_NEW = 2

| win_CKE = 6 | draw_CKE = 0 | loss_CKE = 8| pf_CKE = 316 | pa_CKE = 354 | tf_CKE = 41 | ta_CKE = 43 | tb_CKE = 4 | lb_CKE = 1

| win_EVA = 4 | draw_EVA = 0 | loss_EVA = 10| pf_EVA = 246 | pa_EVA = 428 | tf_EVA = 26 | ta_EVA = 56 | tb_EVA = 0 | lb_EVA = 2

| win_BAR = 2 | draw_BAR = 0 | loss_BAR = 12| pf_BAR = 245 | pa_BAR = 365 | tf_BAR = 26 | ta_BAR = 44 | tb_BAR = 2 | lb_BAR = 4

| class_rules = If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:

1. Number of matches won
2. Number of tries scored
3. Total number of points for
4. Difference between points for and against

After 14 rounds, the two conferences merge and points are reset. Points are given according to league position (1st - 8 points, 2nd - 7 points, 3rd - 6 points etc.)

| update = 23 December 2017

| source = {{cite web | url=http://www.allwalessport.co.uk/rugby-union.aspx?cid=4748 | title=Principality Premiership | publisher= allwalessport}}

}}

{{#invoke:Sports table|main|style=Rugby

| title = 2017–18 Principality Premiership Table (West)

| team1 = RGC | name_RGC = RGC 1404

| team2 = LLD | name_LLD = Llandovery

| team3 = CQU | name_CQU = Carmarthen Quins

| team4 = ABE | name_ABE = Aberavon

| team5 = LLN | name_LLN = Llanelli

| team6 = BRI | name_BRI = Bridgend

| team7 = SWA | name_SWA = Swansea

| team8 = NEA | name_NEA = Neath

| win_RGC = 11 | draw_RGC = 1 | loss_RGC = 2| pf_RGC = 375 | pa_RGC = 294 | tf_RGC = 42 | ta_RGC = 41 | tb_RGC = 5 | lb_RGC = 1

| win_LLD = 10 | draw_LLD = 0 | loss_LLD = 4| pf_LLD = 313 | pa_LLD = 195 | tf_LLD = 41 | ta_LLD = 21 | tb_LLD = 7 | lb_LLD = 1

| win_CQU = 10 | draw_CQU = 0 | loss_CQU = 4| pf_CQU = 343 | pa_CQU = 271 | tf_CQU = 43 | ta_CQU = 32 | tb_CQU = 4 | lb_CQU = 1

| win_ABE = 7 | draw_ABE = 0 | loss_ABE = 7| pf_ABE = 345 | pa_ABE = 336 | tf_ABE = 49 | ta_ABE = 37 | tb_ABE = 5 | lb_ABE = 2

| win_LLN = 6 | draw_LLN = 0 | loss_LLN = 8| pf_LLN = 304 | pa_LLN = 368 | tf_LLN = 41 | ta_LLN = 48 | tb_LLN = 7 | lb_LLN = 1

| win_BRI = 5 | draw_BRI = 0 | loss_BRI = 9| pf_BRI = 271 | pa_BRI = 342 | tf_BRI = 29 | ta_BRI = 47 | tb_BRI = 2 | lb_BRI = 3

| win_SWA = 3 | draw_SWA = 1 | loss_SWA = 10| pf_SWA = 283 | pa_SWA = 331 | tf_SWA = 33 | ta_SWA = 43 | tb_SWA = 3 | lb_SWA = 6

| win_NEA = 3 | draw_NEA = 0 | loss_NEA = 11| pf_NEA = 254 | pa_NEA = 351 | tf_NEA = 36 | ta_NEA = 45 | tb_NEA = 1 | lb_NEA = 3

| class_rules = If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:

1. Number of matches won
2. Number of tries scored
3. Total number of points for
4. Difference between points for and against

After 14 rounds, the two conferences merge and points are reset. Points are given according to league position (1st - 8 points, 2nd - 7 points, 3rd - 6 points etc.)

| update = 26 December 2017

| source = {{cite web | url=http://www.allwalessport.co.uk/rugby-union.aspx?cid=4749 | title=Principality Premiership | publisher= allwalessport}}

}}

After 14 rounds, the two conferences merge and points are reset to zero. However, points are awarded to teams prior to this phase according to league position (1st – 8 points, 2nd – 7 points, 3rd – 6 points etc.). Each team now plays each other team once, either home or away, for a grand total of 29 games over the entire season. There is no play-off system this season and the league leader will be crowned 2017–18 Principality Premiership Champions.

{{#invoke:Sports table|main|style=Rugby

| title = 2017–18 Principality Premiership Table (Total)

| show_adjust_points = y

| adjust_header = {{abbr|LPP|League Position Points}}

| team1 = MER | name_MER = Merthyr

| team2 = PON | name_PON = Pontypridd

| team3 = LLD | name_LLD = Llandovery

| team4 = RGC | name_RGC = RGC 1404

| team5 = CQU | name_CQU = Carmarthen Quins

| team6 = EVA | name_EVA = Ebbw Vale

| team7 = BDW | name_BDW = Bedwas

| team8 = CAR | name_CAR = Cardiff

| team9 = NEW | name_NEW = Newport

| team10 = BRI | name_BRI = Bridgend

| team11 = CKE | name_CKE = Cross Keys

| team12 = ABE | name_ABE = Aberavon

| team13 = LLN | name_LLN = Llanelli

| team14 = SWA | name_SWA = Swansea

| team15 = BAR | name_BAR = Bargoed

| team16 = NEA | name_NEA = Neath

| win_MER = 13 | draw_MER = 0 | loss_MER = 2| pf_MER = 477 | pa_MER = 263 | tf_MER = 66 | ta_MER = 29 | tb_MER = 10 | lb_MER = 1 | adjust_points_MER = 8

| win_PON = 12 | draw_PON = 0 | loss_PON = 3| pf_PON = 457 | pa_PON = 327 | tf_PON = 64 | ta_PON = 42 | tb_PON = 7 | lb_PON = 0 | adjust_points_PON = 7

| win_LLD = 12 | draw_LLD = 0 | loss_LLD = 3| pf_LLD = 391 | pa_LLD = 310 | tf_LLD = 48 | ta_LLD = 38 | tb_LLD = 7 | lb_LLD = 1 | adjust_points_LLD = 7

| win_RGC = 9 | draw_RGC = 1 | loss_RGC = 5| pf_RGC = 513 | pa_RGC = 328 | tf_RGC = 68 | ta_RGC = 39 | tb_RGC = 8 | lb_RGC = 4 | adjust_points_RGC = 8

| win_CQU = 10 | draw_CQU = 1 | loss_CQU = 4| pf_CQU = 364 | pa_CQU = 303 | tf_CQU = 47 | ta_CQU = 37 | tb_CQU = 6 | lb_CQU = 3 | adjust_points_CQU = 6

| win_EVA = 10 | draw_EVA = 0 | loss_EVA = 5| pf_EVA = 327 | pa_EVA = 237 | tf_EVA = 34 | ta_EVA = 27 | tb_EVA = 3 | lb_EVA = 3 | adjust_points_EVA = 2

| win_BDW = 8 | draw_BDW = 0 | loss_BDW = 7| pf_BDW = 413 | pa_BDW = 348 | tf_BDW = 60 | ta_BDW = 42 | tb_BDW = 6 | lb_BDW = 4 | adjust_points_BDW = 6

| win_CAR = 7 | draw_CAR = 0 | loss_CAR = 8| pf_CAR = 394 | pa_CAR = 352 | tf_CAR = 50 | ta_CAR = 45 | tb_CAR = 6 | lb_CAR = 4 | adjust_points_CAR = 5

| win_NEW = 7 | draw_NEW = 0 | loss_NEW = 8| pf_NEW = 366 | pa_NEW = 381 | tf_NEW = 44 | ta_NEW = 50 | tb_NEW = 6 | lb_NEW = 5 | adjust_points_NEW = 4

| win_BRI = 8 | draw_BRI = 0 | loss_BRI = 7| pf_BRI = 319 | pa_BRI = 336 | tf_BRI = 39 | ta_BRI = 44 | tb_BRI = 2 | lb_BRI = 2 | adjust_points_BRI = 3

| win_CKE = 6 | draw_CKE = 0 | loss_CKE = 9| pf_CKE = 346 | pa_CKE = 394 | tf_CKE = 46 | ta_CKE = 54 | tb_CKE = 8 | lb_CKE = 2 | adjust_points_CKE = 3

| win_ABE = 6 | draw_ABE = 0 | loss_ABE = 9| pf_ABE = 285 | pa_ABE = 298 | tf_ABE = 41 | ta_ABE = 36 | tb_ABE = 3 | lb_ABE = 5 | adjust_points_ABE = 5

| win_LLN = 6 | draw_LLN = 0 | loss_LLN = 9| pf_LLN = 399 | pa_LLN = 485 | tf_LLN = 52 | ta_LLN = 66 | tb_LLN = 6 | lb_LLN = 2 | adjust_points_LLN = 4

| win_SWA = 2 | draw_SWA = 0 | loss_SWA = 13| pf_SWA = 255 | pa_SWA = 472 | tf_SWA = 30 | ta_SWA = 65 | tb_SWA = 1 | lb_SWA = 5 | adjust_points_SWA = 2

| win_BAR = 2 | draw_BAR = 0 | loss_BAR = 13| pf_BAR = 231 | pa_BAR = 484 | tf_BAR = 31 | ta_BAR = 70 | tb_BAR = 3 | lb_BAR = 1 | adjust_points_BAR = 1

| win_NEA = 1 | draw_NEA = 0 | loss_NEA = 14| pf_NEA = 277 | pa_NEA = 496 | tf_NEA = 33 | ta_NEA = 69 | tb_NEA = 2 | lb_NEA = 5 | adjust_points_NEA = 1

| status_MER = C

| col_C = green2| result1 = C

| class_rules = If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:

1. Number of matches won
2. Number of tries scored
3. Total number of points for
4. Difference between points for and against

The two conferences merged after 14 original rounds and points were reset. Points were given according to league position (1st - 8 points, 2nd - 7 points, 3rd - 6 points etc.)

| update = 19 May 2018

| source = {{cite web | url=http://www.allwalessport.co.uk/rugby-union.aspx?cid=4218 | title=Principality Premiership | publisher= allwalessport}}

}}

• {{Official website|http://www.wru.co.uk/eng/club/principalitypremiership/index.php}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:2017-18 Principality Premiership}}

Category:Welsh Premier Division seasons

Category:2017–18 in Welsh rugby union

Wales