Current season or competition: 2019–20 Eastern Counties 1 | |
| Sport | Rugby union |
|---|---|
| Instituted | 1987 |
| Number of teams | 24 (8 per divisional league) |
| Country |  England |
| Holders | Beccles (2nd title) (2018–19) (promoted to London 3 Eastern Counties) |
| Most titles | Thetford (3 titles) |
| Website | englandrugby.com |
Eastern Counties 1 was an English level 9 Rugby Union League. From the 2017-18 promoted teams move up to the newly created London 3 Eastern Counties with the league champions going up automatically, while relegated teams drop down to Eastern Counties 2 (split into three regional divisions - north, south, west). Teams in this league tend to be based in Cambridgeshire, Norfolk or Suffolk. In the past teams from Essex used to take part until the 2003–04 season when they formed a new league - with Essex 1 being the top division.
The division was split across three geographic areas (North, South & West) for the 2017-18 as part of an RFU reorganization of the London & South East regional league. The top two teams from each Area Division shall enter the Championship Phase (Shield) to determine the final rankings for promotion to London 3 Eastern Counties. Other teams will play in the Plate, Bowl and Salver competitions, depending on league position, with clubs finishing bottom of the Salver being relegated to Eastern Counties 2.