North East 2 was an English Rugby Union league was at the eighth tier of the domestic competition when it was founded in 1987 and was available to teams in North East England.

Promoted teams moved up to North East 1 while relegated teams dropped to Durham/Northumberland 1 and latterly North East 3.

The division was abolished at the end of the 1999–2000 season due to RFU restructuring with teams being transferred to regional leagues such as Yorkshire 1 or Durham/Northumberland 1.

When league rugby began in 1987 this division contained the following teams: The original North East 2 was a tier 8 league with promotion up to North East 1 and relegation down to either Durham/Northumberland 1 or Yorkshire 1.

Additionally, the creation of North East 3 at tier 9 for the 1996–97, meant that relegated teams dropped to this new league.