2021 Top League
The 2021 Top League will be the 18th season of Japan's top tier domestic rugby union competition. Compared to previous seasons, the 2021 Top League season will be formatted differently in preparation for a new three-tier professional club competition that will begin in January 2022.
| 2021 Top League | |
|---|---|
| Countries |  Japan |
| Date | 16 January 2021 – 8 May 2021 |
| Official website | |
| www | |
This season will comprise of three stages that will include all 16 2021 Top League teams and also the top four sides from the 2021 Top Challenge League. Stage one will see the Top League sides split into two conferences, whilst the Top Challenge League sides play amongst themselves. Stage two will see the 16 Top League sides and the top four finishes of the 2021 Top Challenge League get split between four pools of five teams. Stage three will be concluded by the pool winners facing off in a semi final and final playoff.[1]
Teams
Stage OneThe 16 Top League sides will be split between a red conference and a white conference. They will only play against teams from there conference.[2] Red ConferenceLadder
Fixtures & ResultsRound 1 Round 2 Round 3 Round 4 Round 5 Round 6 Round 7 White ConferenceLadder
Fixtures & ResultsRound 1 Round 2 Round 3 Round 4 Round 5 Round 6 Round 7 Stage TwoEach Top League side will be placed in a pool depending on where they ranked in their stage one conference. The top four finishes from the 2021 Top Challenge League will be each placed in a separate pool. Pool A
Pool B
Pool C
Pool D
Playoff StagePool Winners will go into a finals playoff. Whilst all other teams will play cross over playoff matches for final team rankings in preparation for the new pro league in 2021.[3] Notes^1 Fixtures for stage two will be announced once stage one is complete. References
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