Three English county teams also featured (having missed the 2021 tournament due to COVID-19 restrictions).
[1] Galway and Kilkenny entered the season as holders, having shared the 2021 NHL title.
[2][3][4] On 2 April, Waterford won the National Hurling League for the fourth time after a 4-20 to 1-23 win against Cork in the final.
London, Lancashire and Warwickshire complete the lineup.
The top two teams in each group qualify for the NHL semi finals.