The format of the league was changed at the beginning of the 2009–10 season following reorganisation by the Rugby Football Union.

The 2019–20 season ended before all the matches were completed because of the coronavirus pandemic and the RFU used a best playing record formula to decide the final table.

The Rugby Football Union (RFU) approved a new structure for the National Leagues from the 2022–23 season.

[4] Eleven of the teams listed below participated in the 2019–20 National League 2 South season.

Barnes, Bury St. Edmunds, Canterbury, Guernsey Raiders, Henley Hawks, Old Albanian, Rochford Hundred, Westcliff and Worthing Raiders were transferred to the newly created National League 2 East while Barnstaple, Clifton, Dings Crusaders, Hinckley, Leicester Lions and Redruth were transferred to another new level-four league, National League 2 West.

[17] [18] [19] [20] [21] [22] [23] [24] [52][53] [54] [55] [25] [56] [57] [58] Note that all records are from 1996–97 season onwards as this is widely held as the dawn of professionalism across the English club game.