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 |
Counties 1 Eastern Counties was formerly Eastern Counties 1 an English level 7 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. Each year some of the 1st XV clubs in this division also take part in the RFU Junior Vase - a level 9-12 national competition.
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.
As part of the Adult Competition Review ahead of 2022-23 season it was rebranded Counties 1 Eastern Counties and is a Level 7 competition.