National League 1

This article is about the rugby union competition. For the rugby league competition formerly known as National League One, see Championship (rugby league).

National League 1

Founded	1987;37 years ago (1987)
Country	England
Number of teams	14
Level on pyramid	Level 3
Promotion to	RFU Championship
Relegation to	National Two East National Two North National Two West
Current champions	Chinnor (1st title) (2023–24)
Most championships	Coventry, Otley, Richmond (3 titles)
Website	National League 1
Current: 2023–24 National League 1

National One, up until 2023 known as National League 1 and previously known before September 2009 as National Division Two), is the third of three national leagues in the domestic rugby union competition of England. It was known as Courage League National Division Three when founded in 1987. ^[1] Cambridge are the current champions.

The Rugby Football Union (RFU) approved a new structure for the National Leagues from the 2022–23 season. This division will be reduced to fourteen teams, playing each other on a home and away basis to make a total of 26 matches each. The champions are promoted to the RFU Championship and the bottom three teams are relegated to either National Two East, National Two North or National Two West depending on the geographical location of the team. There will be a two-week break over Christmas and protected weekend breaks through the season. The competition structure will be reviewed every three years. ^{[2] [3]}

Structure

The league consists of fourteen teams, with all the teams playing each other on a home and away basis, to make a total of twenty-six matches each. There is one promotion place, with the champions promoted to the RFU Championship, and there are three relegation places to either, National League 2 East, National League 2 North or National League 2 West, depending on the geographical location of the team.

The results of the matches contribute points to the league table as follows:

• 4 points are awarded for a win
• 2 points are awarded for a draw
• 0 points are awarded for a loss, however
• 1 losing (bonus) point is awarded to a team that loses a match by 7 points or fewer
• 1 additional (bonus) point is awarded to a team scoring 4 tries or more in a match.

2023–24

Main article: 2023–24 National League 1

Participating teams and locations

Team Ground Capacity City/Area Previous season Birmingham Moseley Billesley Common 6,000 (2,000 seats) Birmingham, West Midlands 9th Bishop's Stortford Silver Leys 1,600 Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire 6th Blackheath Well Hall 1,650 (550 seats) Eltham, London Promoted from National League 2 East Chinnor Kingsey Road 2,500 Thame, Oxfordshire 8th Cinderford Dockham Road 2,500 Cinderford, Gloucestershire 7th Darlington Mowden Park Northern Echo Arena 25,000 seats Darlington, County Durham 10th Leicester Lions Westleigh Park 2,000 Blaby, Leicestershire Promoted from National League 2 West Plymouth Albion The Brickfields 8,500 (2,000 seats) Plymouth, Devon 5th Rams Old Bath Road 2,000 (300 seats) [4] Sonning, Reading, Berkshire 2nd Rosslyn Park The Rock 2,000 Roehampton, London 4th Richmond Athletic Ground 4,500 (1,000 seats) Richmond, London Relegated from RFU Championship Sale FC Heywood Road 3,400 (1,000 seats) Sale, Greater Manchester 3rd Sedgley Park Park Lane 3,000 Whitefield, Bury, Greater Manchester Promoted from National League 2 North Taunton Titans Veritas Park 2,000 (200 seats) Taunton, Somerset 11th

Birmingham Moseley Bishop's Stortford Chinnor Cinderford Darlington Mowden Park Leicester Lions Plymouth Albion Rams Sale FC SedgleyPark Taunton London London teams Blackheath Rosslyn Park Richmond class=notpageimage| 2023–24 National 1 teams in England Blackheath Rosslyn Park Richmond class=notpageimage| 2023–24 Greater London National League 1 clubs

League table

2023–24 National League 1 Table v t e
		Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	Points for	Points against	Points diff	Try bonus	Losing bonus	Points
1	Chinnor (C)	26	22	0	4	1039	403	636	21	3	112
2	Rams	26	19	0	7	787	585	202	20	3	99
3	Rosslyn Park	26	14	2	10	765	656	109	17	5	82
4	Plymouth Albion	26	15	0	11	631	571	60	13	4	77
5	Birmingham Moseley	26	14	1	11	649	667	-18	12	6	76
6	Richmond	26	11	1	14	689	681	8	14	8	68
7	Darlington Mowden Park	26	12	0	14	635	682	-47	12	7	67
8	Blackheath	26	12	1	13	641	613	28	10	4	64
9	Sedgley Park	26	11	1	14	657	784	-127	11	4	61
10	Sale FC	26	11	0	15	567	628	-61	8	4	56
11	Bishop's Stortford	26	10	0	16	592	746	-154	10	6	56
12	Leicester Lions	26	11	0	15	525	697	-172	7	3	54
13	Taunton Titans (R)	26	8	0	18	713	930	-217	17	4	53
14	Cinderford (R)	26	9	0	17	528	775	-247	6	6	48
If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order: Number of matches won Difference between points for and against Total number of points for Aggregate number of points scored in matches between tied teams Number of matches won excluding the first match, then the second and so on until the tie is settled
Green background is the promotion place. Pink background are the relegation places. Updated: 27 April 2024 Source: "National League 1". RugbyEngland.Source: "National League Rugby – Promotion and Relegation: 2023-24".

History

When the rugby union leagues were introduced in 1987 the division was known as Courage League National Division Three. Ten years later, in 1997, the league was restructured and the Premiership was introduced, which consisted of the top two divisions. Therefore, National 3 became the top league outside of the Premiership structure, and was renamed as National 1. In 2000–01 the Premiership was reduced to a single division and National 1 was renamed National 2. Following the formation of the professional RFU Championship in 2009 the league, once again, became known as National League 1, and is currently the lowest tier that is nationwide. The league has previously consisted of fourteen clubs, but from 2009–10 increased to sixteen before reducing to fourteen again ahead of the 2022–23 season. Only one team was promoted to the RFU Championship and between 2009–10 and 2019–20 three teams were relegated to either National League 2 North or National League 2 South depending on geographical location. Following reorganisation in 2022, three teams are now relegated to either National League 2 East, National League 2 North or National League 2 West depending on geographical location.

Summary of tier three format

Year	Name	No of teams	No of matches
1987–90	Courage National 3	12	11
1990–92	Courage National 3	13	12
1992–93	Courage National 3	12	11
1993–96	Courage National 3	10	18
1996–97	Courage National 3	16	30
1997–2000	Jewson National League 1	14	26
2000–09	National Division 2	14	26
2009–22	National League 1	16	30
2022–	National League 1	14	26

Original teams

When the league system was formed in 1987, the following teams participated in the league, which was known as National 3. Thirty-three years on, only one team Plymouth Albion, are currently playing at this level. (Updated to 2019–20)

• Birmingham — now Birmingham & Solihull, playing in Midlands 4 West (South) (9th tier)
• Exeter — now playing in the Premiership (1st tier)
• Fylde — currently playing in National League 2 North (4th tier)
• Maidstone — now playing in London 3 South East (8th tier)
• Metropolitan Police — now playing in Surrey 3 (11th tier)
• Morley — now playing in North 1 East (6th tier)
• Nuneaton — now playing in Midlands Premier (6th tier)
• Plymouth Albion — currently playing in this division (3rd tier)
• Sheffield — now playing in Midlands Premier (6th tier)
• Vale of Lune — now playing in North 1 West (6th tier)
• Wakefield — no longer participating in league rugby having disbanded in 2004
• West Hartlepool — now playing in North 1 East (6th tier)

League results

National Division Three

National Division Three
Season	No of teams	No of matches	Champions	Runners-up	Relegated team(s)	Ref
1987–88	12	11	Wakefield	West Hartlepool	Morley, Birmingham	[5]
1988–89	12	11	Plymouth Albion	Rugby	Metropolitan Police, Maidstone	[6]
1989–90	12	11	London Scottish	Wakefield	London Welsh	[6]
1990–91	13	12	West Hartlepool	Morley	Metropolitan Police, Vale of Lune	[7]
1991–92	13	12	Richmond	Fylde	Nuneaton, Lydney	[8]
1992–93	12	11	Otley	Havant	Multiple teams [lower-alpha 1]	[9]
1993–94	10	18	Coventry	Fylde	Havant, Redruth	[10]
1994–95	10	18	Bedford	Blackheath	Clifton, Exeter	[11]
1995–96	10	18	Coventry	Richmond [lower-alpha 2]	Fylde in last place (no relegation)	[12]
1996–97	16	30	Exeter	Fylde	Walsall, Havant, Redruth, Clifton	[13]

National League One

National League One
Season	No of teams	No of matches	Champions	Runners-up	Relegated team(s)	Ref
1997–98	14	26	Worcester	Leeds Tykes [lower-alpha 3]	No relegation	[14]
1998–99	14	26	Henley	Manchester	Morley, Liverpool St Helens	[15]
1999–00	14	26	Otley	Birmingham & Solihull	Reading, Blackheath	[16]

National Division Two

National Division Two
Season	No of teams	No of matches	Champions	Runners-up	Relegated team(s)	Ref
2000–01	14	26	Bracknell	Rugby	Camberley, Lydney, West Hartlepool	[17]
2001–02	14	26	Orrell	Plymouth Albion	Rosslyn Park, Waterloo, Preston Grasshoppers	[17]
2002–03	14	26	Penzance-Newlyn	Henley	Launceston, Kendal, Fylde	[18]
2003–04	14	26	Sedgley Park	Nottingham	Rugby, Lydney	[19]
2004–05	14	26	Doncaster	Newbury	Nuneaton, Bracknell, Rosslyn Park	[20]
2005–06	14	26	Moseley	Waterloo	Orrell	[21]
2006–07	14	26	Esher	Launceston	Bradford & Bingley, Barking, Harrogate	[22]
2007–08	14	26	Otley	Manchester	Nuneaton, Henley Hawks, Halifax	[23]
2008–09	14	26	Birmingham & Solihull	Cambridge	Westcombe Park, Southend, Mounts Bay, Waterloo	[24]

National League One

National League One
Season	No of teams	No of matches	Champions	Runners-up	Relegated team(s)	Ref
2009–10	16	30	Esher	London Scottish	Newbury, Nuneaton, Manchester	[25]
2010–11	16	30	London Scottish	Barking	Redruth, Otley, Launceston	[26]
2011–12	16	30	Jersey	Ealing Trailfinders	Birmingham & Solihull, Stourbridge, Barking
2012–13	16	30	Ealing Trailfinders	Esher	Macclesfield, Sedgley Park, Cambridge	[27]
2013–14	16	30	Doncaster Knights	Rosslyn Park	Henley Hawks, Worthing Raiders, Hull Ionians	[28]
2014–15	16	30	Ealing Trailfinders	Rosslyn Park	Tynedale, Macclesfield, Old Albanian
2015–16	16	30	Richmond	Hartpury College	Henley Hawks, Cinderford, Wharfedale
2016–17	16	30	Hartpury College	Plymouth Albion	Macclesfield, Blaydon [lower-alpha 4]
2017–18	16	30	Coventry	Darlington Mowden Park	Fylde, Old Albanian, Hull Ionians
2018–19	16	30	Ampthill	Old Elthamians	Loughborough Students, Esher, Caldy
2019–20	16	25 [lower-alpha 5]	Richmond	Rams	Hull Ionians, Canterbury, Rotherham Titans
2020–21	Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the season was cancelled.
2021–22	15	28	Caldy	Sale FC	Blackheath, Tonbridge Juddians	[32]
2022–23	14	26	Cambridge	Rams	Esher, Leeds Tykes, Hull	[33]
2023–24	14	26	Chinnor	Rams	Cinderford, Taunton Titans
Green background are the promotion places.

Number of league titles

• Coventry (3)
• Otley (3)
• Richmond (3)
• Doncaster Knights (2)
• Ealing Trailfinders (2)
• Esher (2)
• London Scottish (2)
• Ampthill (1)
• Bedford (1)
• Bracknell (1)
• Caldy (1)
• Cambridge (1)
• Chinnor (1)
• Exeter (1)
• Hartpury College (1)
• Henley (1)
• Jersey (1)
• Moseley (1)
• Orrell (1)
• Penzance-Newlyn (1) ^{[lower-alpha 6]}
• Plymouth Albion (1)
• Sedgley Park (1)
• Wakefield (1)
• West Hartlepool (1)
• Worcester (1)

Records

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. It also offers a better comparison between seasons as the division team numbers are roughly equal (for example when league rugby union first started in 1987–88 the Courage League National Division Three had only 12 teams playing 11 games each, compared to 16 teams in 1996–97 playing 30 games (home & away)). Attendance records are from 2000 onwards unless otherwise specified. All records are up to date up till the end of the 2019–20 season.

League records

• Most titles: 3

Otley (1992–93, 1999–00, 2007–08)

Coventry (1993–94, 1995–96, 2017–18)

Richmond (1991–92, 2015–16, 2019–20)

• Most times promoted from division: 4

Richmond (1991–92, 1995–96, 2015–16, 2019–20)

• Most times relegated from division: 4

Nuneaton (1991–92, 2004–05, 2007–08, 2009–10)

• Most league points in a season: 148

Hartpury College (2016–17)

• Least league points in a season: 0

West Hartlepool (2000–01), Manchester (2009–10)

• Most points scored in a season: 1,455

Hartpury College (2016–17)

• Least points scored in a season: 114

Manchester (2009–10)

• Most points conceded in a season: 2,626

Manchester (2009–10)

• Least points conceded in a season: 299

Henley Hawks (1998–99) ^[34]

• Best points difference (For/Against): 1,078

Esher (2009–10)

• Worst points difference (For/Against): –2,512

Manchester (2009–10)

• Most games won in a season: 30

Hartpury College (2016–17)

• Most games lost in a season: 30

Manchester (2009–10)

• Most games drawn in a season: 4

Wharfedale (2005–06), Richmond (2012–13), Ampthill (2017–18)

• Most bonus points in a season: 28

Ealing Trailfinders (2014–15)

Hartpury College (2016–17)

Match records

• Largest home win:

124 – 5 Wharfedale at home to Manchester on 26 September 2009 (2009–10)

• Largest away win:

148 – 0 Esher away to Manchester on 5 September 2009 (2009–10)

• Most points scored in a match: 148

Esher away to Manchester on 5 September 2009 (2009–10)

• Most tries scored in a match: 23

Blaydon away to Manchester on 19 September 2009 (2009–10)

• Most conversions scored in a match: 19

Esher away to Manchester on 5 September 2009 (2009–10)

• Most penalties scored in a match: 8

Esher at home to Preston Grasshoppers on 1 December 2001 (2001–02)

Stourbridge at home to Rosslyn Park on 25 October 2003 (2003–04)

Hartpury College at home to Rosslyn Park on 9 April 2016 (2015–16)

Rotherham Titans at home to Rosslyn Park on 15 September 2018 (2018–19)

• Most drop kicks scored in a match: 3

Fylde away to Esher on 13 February 2016 (2015–16)

Player records

• Most times top points scorer: 2

Neil Hallett for Esher (2005–06, 2006–07)

• Most times top try scorer: 3

Phil Chesters for Ealing Trailfinders (2011–12, 2012–13, 2014–15)

• Most points in a season: 399

Sam Ulph for Esher (2009–10)

• Most tries in a season: 42

Phil Chesters for Ealing Trailfinders (2011–12)

• Most points in a match: 51

Sam Ulph for Esher away to Manchester on 5 September 2009 (2009–10)

• Most tries in a match: 7

Hugo Ellis for Rosslyn Park at home to Cambridge on 12 January 2013

• Most conversions in a match: 18

Sam Ulph for Esher away to Manchester on 5 September 2009 (2009–10)

• Most penalties in a match: 8

Jonathon Gregory for Esher at home to Preston Grasshoppers on 1 December 2001 (2001–02)

Ben Harvey for Stourbridge at home to Rosslyn Park on 25 October 2003 (2003–04)

Gareth Thompson for Hartpury College at home to Rosslyn Park on 9 April 2016 (2015–16)

Alex Dolly for Rotherham Titans at home to Rosslyn Park on 15 September 2018 (2018–19)

• Most drop kicks in a match: 3

Chris Johnson for Fylde away to Esher on 13 February 2016 (2015–16)

Attendance records

^{[lower-alpha 7]}

• Highest attendance (league game): 3,758

Coventry RFC at home to Hull Ionians on 28 April 2018 (2017–18)

• Lowest attendance (league game): 50

West Hartlepool at home to Camberley on 31 March 2001 (2000–01)

• Highest average attendance (club): 2,206

Jersey (2011–12)

• Lowest average attendance (club): 180

Barking (2011–12)

• Highest average attendance (season): 653 (2017–18)
• Lowest average attendance (season): 463 (2004–05)

Top ten point scorers

As of the end of the games of 27 April 2019. Stats taken from 1996–97 season onwards and include regular league games only in National League 1 (no cup games). Points scored includes tries, drop kicks, penalties and conversions. ^[35]

Rank	Nat	Name	Years	Club(s)	Points	Apps	Ratio
1		Andrew Baggett	2001–08 2008–17	Wharfedale Blaydon	1,707	409	4.2
2		Neil Hallett	1999–02 2002–04 2004–10 2011–12	Rosslyn Park Bracknell Esher Ealing Trailfinders	1,440	181	8.0
3		Alastair Bressington	2004–05 2005–10, 2010–12 2010	Moseley Stourbridge Cinderford	1,201	147	8.2
4		Lee Cholewa	1996–97 1998–99, 2000–05 2005–07 2010–11	Rotherham Harrogate London Welsh London Scottish	1,168	146	8.0
5		Chris Johnson	2012–16 2019, 2019–	Fylde Sale FC	1,075	119	9.0
6		Clifford Hodgson	2012–2017 2019– [36]	Coventry Birmingham Moseley	1,024	109	9.4
		Mark Bedworth	2005–10	Wharfedale	1,024	114	9.0
7		Ben Harvey	1996–97 1999–00 2000–01 2001–05	Richmond Worcester Warriors Moseley Stourbridge	987	118	8.4
8		Jonathon Gregory	1996–97 2000–04	Richmond Esher	970	84	11.5
9		Jonathon Davies	1997–07	Wharfedale	946	198	4.8

(Bold denotes players still playing in National League 1)

Top ten try scorers

As of the end of the games of 27 April 2019. Stats taken from 1996–97 season onwards and include regular league games only in National League 1 (no cup games). ^[37]

Rank	Nat	Name	Years	Club(s)	Tries	Apps	Ratio
1		David Allen	2004–17	Blackheath	147	277	0.5
2		Oliver Brennand	2011–17	Fylde	117	161	0.7
3		Hugo Ellis	2012–	Rosslyn Park	107	155	0.7
4		Phil Chesters	2011–13, 2014–15	Ealing Trailfinders	105	82	1.3
5		Jason Smithson	2007–17	Blaydon	96	224	0.4
6		Chris Malherbe	1998–99 2001–02 2002–11	Camberley Kendal Wharfedale	95	222	0.4
		Andrew Hodgson	1997–99, 2000–04, 2005–13, 2014–16	Wharfedale	95	264	0.4
7		Christoff Lombaard	2006–07, 2008–10 2012–15, 16–17	Cambridge Old Albanian	81	151	0.5
8		Nigel Baker	2009–12 2013–15, 2016 2015 2016–19	Stourbridge Cinderford Coventry Ampthill	79	149	0.5
9		Spencer Sutherland	2011–12 2012–18 2018–19	Coventry Esher Ampthill	78	148	0.5

(Bold denotes players still playing in National League 1)

See also

• English rugby union system
• List of English rugby union stadiums by capacity

Notes

1. Sheffield, Leeds, Liverpool St Helens, Clifton, Aspatria, Askeans, Broughton Park and Plymouth Albion were the relegated teams. The large number of relegations was due to the restructuring of the league system for the 1993–94 season.
2. Rugby and Rotherham were also promoted.
3. London Welsh and Rugby were also promoted.
4. Only 2 teams relegated at the end of the 2016–17 season instead of 3 due to London Welsh being expelled from the RFU Championship in January 2017. ^[29]
5. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom the RFU cancelled all rugby below the Premiership with most clubs in National League 1 having played 25 games, and a best playing record formula was used to decide the final table. ^{[30] [31]}
6. Penzance & Newlyn are now known as the Cornish Pirates.
7. Note that due to poor attendance keeping by press and online sources means that the 2000–01 and 2003–04 seasons are excluded from these statistics due to lack of information expect in the case of lowest recorded league game attendance.

References

1. Stephen Jones, ed. (1988). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1988–89. London: Rothmans Publications Ltd.
2. "RFU approve future competition structure for 2022/23". ncarugby. Retrieved 24 December 2020.
3. "Update on Structural Changes to National League Rugby". National League Rugby. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
4. "Rams would be happy to play in RFU's new Tier 2". The RugbyPaper. No. 802. 28 January 2024. p. 1-2.
5. Stephen Jones, ed. (1988). Courage Leagues 1988–89. London: Queen Anne Press. ISBN   0356158845.
6. Tony Williams and Bill Mitchell, ed. (1990). Courage Clubs Championship. Official Rugby Union Club Directory 1990–91. Horsham: Burlington Publishing Co Ltd. ISBN   1873057024.
7. Stephen Jones, ed. (1991). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1991–92. London: Queen Anne Press. ISBN   0356202496.
8. "Courage Club Championship 1991/92". Moseley Rugby club. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
9. "Courage Clubs Championship-1992/93". Moseley Rugby Club. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
10. "Courage Clubs Championship 1993/94". Moseley Rugby Club. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
11. "Courage Club Championships 1994/95". Moseley Rugby Club. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
12. Mick Cleary, ed. (1996). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1996–97. London: Headline Book Publishing. ISBN   0747277710.
13. Mick Cleary, ed. (1987). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1997–98. London: Headline Book Publishers. ISBN   074727732X.
14. "1997/98: Jewson National Division (formerly Courage League National Division 3)". Moseley Rugby Club. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
15. Mick Cleary and John Griffiths, ed. (1999). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1999–2000. London: Headline Book Publishing. ISBN   0747275319.
16. Stephen McCormack, ed. (2000). The Official RFU Club Directory 2000–2001. Harpenden: Queen Anne Press. ISBN   1852916273.
17. Stephen McCormack, ed. (2001). The Official RFU Club Directory 2001–2002. Harpender: Queen Anne Press. ISBN   1852916400.
18. Stephen McCormack (2002). The Official RFU Club Directory 2002–2003. Harpenden: Queen Anne Press. ISBN   1852916451.
19. "National Division 1 2003/04". Moseley Rugby Club. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
20. "2004/05: National League 2". Moseley Rugby Club. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
21. "2005/06: National League 2". Moseley Rugby Club. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
22. "2006/07: National League 2". Moseley Rugby Club. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
23. "2007/08: National League 2". Moseley Rugby Club. Retrieved 15 August 2013.
24. "2008/09: National League 2". Moseley Rugby Club. Retrieved 15 August 2013.
25. "2009/10: National League 1". Moseley Rugby Club. Retrieved 15 August 2013.
26. "Final League Tables 2010 – 2011". Trelawneys Army. Retrieved 15 August 2013.
27. "English National League One Table". BBC. Retrieved 15 August 2013.
28. "SSE National League 1". NCA. Retrieved 8 May 2014.
29. "London Welsh: RFU refuses permission for Exiles to stay in Championship". BBC Sport. 24 January 2017.
30. "Following government advice, the RFU will suspend all rugby activity in England, at both professional and community level". England Rugby. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
31. "RFU". www.englandrugby.com. Retrieved 25 March 2020.
32. "National League 1". England Rugby. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
33. "National League 1". England Rugby. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
34. "Jewson National League 1 1998/99". rugbyarchive.net. Retrieved 9 January 2016.
35. "National One All time leading scorers". Rugby Statbunker. 27 April 2019.
36. "Team news for tomorrow – Coventry Rugby". www.coventryrugby.co.uk. Retrieved 12 November 2017.
37. "National One All time try scorers". Rugby Statbunker. 27 April 2019.

External links

• National Clubs Association for Leagues 1 and 2