Neath RFC secured their fifth Welsh Premiership title in six years with a 109-21 win over Bedwas at the Gnoll.

It is the first crown for the Welsh All Blacks under coach Patrick Horgan, after their dominance of the league was interrupted last season by Cardiff.

There is more to play for this season, though, with play-offs introduced to the Premiership for the first time.

The top eight sides face off to decide the overall champions and British & Irish Cup qualification.

The top eight teams were established after last week's fixtures - Swansea, Neath, Newport, Llanelli, Pontypridd, Cardiff, Aberavon and Llandovery.

606: DEBATE What do you think of the new end-of-season format?

A complicated series of play-offs will now go ahead, Neath facing the team finishing fourth and the second-placed club hosting the third, with all four teams gaining entry to the 2010/11 British & Irish Cup.

The teams finishing fifth-to-eighth will also play off, the two winners from that securing British & Irish Cup places and going on to challenge the losers from the first-to-fourth teams.

The two sides to emerge from that process then advance to face the winners from the first-to-fourth play-offs in the final series of fixtures to determine the overall champion.

At the other end of the table, Ebbw Vale's relegation was confirmed in midweek, Division One West champions Tonmawr to take their place next season.

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