National League 1

National One (last season 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.

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
Founded1987 (1987)
Country England
Number of teams14
Level on pyramidLevel 3
Promotion toRFU Championship
Relegation toNational Two East
National Two North
National Two West
Current championsCambridge (1st title)
(2022–23)
Most championshipsCoventry, Otley, Richmond (3 titles)
WebsiteNational League 1
Current: 2023–24 National League 1

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

League table
2023–24 National League 1 Table
Played Won Drawn Lost Points for Points against Points diff Try bonus Losing bonus Points
1Rams7601242166767132
2Chinnor75022471121355126
3Plymouth Albion7502234157775126
4Sedgley Park7502215242-274024
5Richmond7403217188295223
6Blackheath7403214164504222
7Birmingham Moseley7403191209-182119
8Cinderford7403137194-570117
9Rosslyn Park7304214218-43116
10Darlington Mowden Park7304154185-312115
11Bishop's Stortford7205192224-325215
12Taunton Titans7106201244-436313
13Leicester Lions7205130205-751211
14Sale FC710696176-80037
  • If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:
  1. Number of matches won
  2. Difference between points for and against
  3. Total number of points for
  4. Aggregate number of points scored in matches between tied teams
  5. 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: 14 October 2023

Source: "National League 1". RugbyEngland.

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
1987–90Courage National 31211
1990–92Courage National 31312
1992–93Courage National 31211
1993–96Courage National 31018
1996–97Courage National 31630
1997–2000Jewson National League 11426
2000–09National Division 21426
2009–22National League 11630
2022–National League 11426

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)

National Division Three
National Division Three
Season No of teams No of matches Champions Runners-up Relegated team(s) Ref
1987–881211WakefieldWest HartlepoolMorley, Birmingham[4]
1988–891211Plymouth AlbionRugbyMetropolitan Police, Maidstone[5]
1989–901211London ScottishWakefieldLondon Welsh[5]
1990–911312West HartlepoolMorleyMetropolitan Police, Vale of Lune[6]
1991–921312RichmondFyldeNuneaton, Lydney[7]
1992–931211OtleyHavantMultiple teams[lower-alpha 1][8]
1993–941018CoventryFyldeHavant, Redruth[9]
1994–951018BedfordBlackheathClifton, Exeter[10]
1995–961018CoventryRichmond[lower-alpha 2]Fylde in last place (no relegation)[11]
1996–971630ExeterFyldeWalsall, Havant, Redruth, Clifton[12]

National League One
National League One
Season No of teams No of matches Champions Runners-up Relegated team(s) Ref
1997–981426WorcesterLeeds Tykes[lower-alpha 3]No relegation[13]
1998–991426HenleyManchesterMorley, Liverpool St Helens[14]
1999–001426OtleyBirmingham & SolihullReading, Blackheath[15]

National Division Two
National Division Two
Season No of teams No of matches Champions Runners-up Relegated team(s) Ref
2000–011426BracknellRugbyCamberley, Lydney, West Hartlepool[16]
2001–021426OrrellPlymouth AlbionRosslyn Park, Waterloo, Preston Grasshoppers[16]
2002–031426Penzance-NewlynHenleyLaunceston, Kendal, Fylde[17]
2003–041426Sedgley ParkNottinghamRugby, Lydney[18]
2004–051426DoncasterNewburyNuneaton, Bracknell, Rosslyn Park[19]
2005–061426MoseleyWaterlooOrrell[20]
2006–071426EsherLauncestonBradford & Bingley, Barking, Harrogate[21]
2007–081426OtleyManchesterNuneaton, Henley Hawks, Halifax[22]
2008–091426Birmingham & SolihullCambridgeWestcombe Park, Southend, Mounts Bay, Waterloo[23]

National League One
National League One
Season No of teams No of matches Champions Runners-up Relegated team(s) Ref
2009–101630EsherLondon ScottishNewbury, Nuneaton, Manchester[24]
2010–111630London ScottishBarkingRedruth, Otley, Launceston[25]
2011–121630JerseyEaling TrailfindersBirmingham & Solihull, Stourbridge, Barking
2012–131630Ealing TrailfindersEsherMacclesfield, Sedgley Park, Cambridge[26]
2013–141630Doncaster KnightsRosslyn ParkHenley Hawks, Worthing Raiders, Hull Ionians[27]
2014–151630Ealing TrailfindersRosslyn ParkTynedale, Macclesfield, Old Albanian
2015–161630RichmondHartpury CollegeHenley Hawks, Cinderford, Wharfedale
2016–171630Hartpury CollegePlymouth AlbionMacclesfield, Blaydon[lower-alpha 4]
2017–181630CoventryDarlington Mowden ParkFylde, Old Albanian, Hull Ionians
2018–191630AmpthillOld ElthamiansLoughborough Students, Esher, Caldy
2019–201625[lower-alpha 5]RichmondRamsHull Ionians, Canterbury, Rotherham Titans
2020–21Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the season was cancelled.
2021–221528CaldySale FCBlackheath and Tonbridge Juddians[31]
2022–231426CambridgeRamsEsher, Leeds Tykes and Hull[32]
2023–241426
Green background are the promotion places.

Number of league titles

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)[33]
  • 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
England Neil Hallett for Esher (2005–06, 2006–07)
  • Most times top try scorer: 3
England Phil Chesters for Ealing Trailfinders (2011–12, 2012–13, 2014–15)
  • Most points in a season: 399
England Sam Ulph for Esher (2009–10)
  • Most tries in a season: 42
England Phil Chesters for Ealing Trailfinders (2011–12)
  • Most points in a match: 51
England Sam Ulph for Esher away to Manchester on 5 September 2009 (2009–10)
  • Most tries in a match: 7
England Hugo Ellis for Rosslyn Park at home to Cambridge on 12 January 2013
  • Most conversions in a match: 18
England Sam Ulph for Esher away to Manchester on 5 September 2009 (2009–10)
  • Most penalties in a match: 8
England Jonathon Gregory for Esher at home to Preston Grasshoppers on 1 December 2001 (2001–02)
England Ben Harvey for Stourbridge at home to Rosslyn Park on 25 October 2003 (2003–04)
Wales Gareth Thompson for Hartpury College at home to Rosslyn Park on 9 April 2016 (2015–16)
England Alex Dolly for Rotherham Titans at home to Rosslyn Park on 15 September 2018 (2018–19)
  • Most drop kicks in a match: 3
England 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.[34]
Rank Nat Name Years Club(s) Points Apps Ratio
1 England Andrew Baggett 2001–08
2008–17		Wharfedale
Blaydon		1,7074094.2
2 England Neil Hallett 1999–02
2002–04
2004–10
2011–12		Rosslyn Park
Bracknell
Esher
Ealing Trailfinders		1,4401818.0
3 England Alastair Bressington 2004–05
2005–10, 2010–12
2010		Moseley
Stourbridge
Cinderford		1,2011478.2
4 England Lee Cholewa 1996–97
1998–99, 2000–05
2005–07
2010–11		Rotherham
Harrogate
London Welsh
London Scottish		1,1681468.0
5 England Chris Johnson 2012–16
2019, 2019–		Fylde
Sale FC		1,0751199.0
6 South Africa Clifford Hodgson 2012–2017
2019–[35]		Coventry
Birmingham Moseley		1,024
109
9.4
England Mark Bedworth 2005–10Wharfedale1,0241149.0
7 England Ben Harvey 1996–97
1999–00
2000–01
2001–05		Richmond
Worcester Warriors
Moseley
Stourbridge		9871188.4
8 England Jonathon Gregory 1996–97
2000–04		Richmond
Esher		9708411.5
9 England Jonathon Davies 1997–07Wharfedale9461984.8

(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).[36]
Rank Nat Name Years Club(s) Tries Apps Ratio
1 England David Allen 2004–17Blackheath1472770.5
2 England Oliver Brennand 2011–17Fylde1171610.7
3 England Hugo Ellis 2012–Rosslyn Park1071550.7
4 England Phil Chesters 2011–13, 2014–15Ealing Trailfinders105821.3
5 England Jason Smithson 2007–17Blaydon962240.4
6 South Africa Chris Malherbe 1998–99
2001–02
2002–11		Camberley
Kendal
Wharfedale		952220.4
England Andrew Hodgson 1997–99, 2000–04, 2005–13, 2014–16Wharfedale952640.4
7 South Africa Christoff Lombaard 2006–07, 2008–10
2012–15, 16–17		Cambridge
Old Albanian		811510.5
8 England Nigel Baker 2009–12
2013–15, 2016
2015
2016–19		Stourbridge
Cinderford
Coventry
Ampthill		791490.5
9 England Spencer Sutherland 2011–12
2012–18
2018–19		Coventry
Esher
Ampthill		781480.5

(Bold denotes players still playing in National League 1)

See also

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.[28]
  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.[29][30]
  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. Stephen Jones, ed. (1988). Courage Leagues 1988–89. London: Queen Anne Press. ISBN 0356158845.
  5. Tony Williams and Bill Mitchell, ed. (1990). Courage Clubs Championship. Official Rugby Union Club Directory 1990–91. Horsham: Burlington Publishing Co Ltd. ISBN 1873057024.
  6. Stephen Jones, ed. (1991). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1991–92. London: Queen Anne Press. ISBN 0356202496.
  7. "Courage Club Championship 1991/92". Moseley Rugby club. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
  8. "Courage Clubs Championship-1992/93". Moseley Rugby Club. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
  9. "Courage Clubs Championship 1993/94". Moseley Rugby Club. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
  10. "Courage Club Championships 1994/95". Moseley Rugby Club. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
  11. Mick Cleary, ed. (1996). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1996–97. London: Headline Book Publishing. ISBN 0747277710.
  12. Mick Cleary, ed. (1987). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1997–98. London: Headline Book Publishers. ISBN 074727732X.
  13. "1997/98: Jewson National Division (formerly Courage League National Division 3)". Moseley Rugby Club. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
  14. Mick Cleary and John Griffiths, ed. (1999). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1999–2000. London: Headline Book Publishing. ISBN 0747275319.
  15. Stephen McCormack, ed. (2000). The Official RFU Club Directory 2000–2001. Harpenden: Queen Anne Press. ISBN 1852916273.
  16. Stephen McCormack, ed. (2001). The Official RFU Club Directory 2001–2002. Harpender: Queen Anne Press. ISBN 1852916400.
  17. Stephen McCormack (2002). The Official RFU Club Directory 2002–2003. Harpenden: Queen Anne Press. ISBN 1852916451.
  18. "National Division 1 2003/04". Moseley Rugby Club. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
  19. "2004/05: National League 2". Moseley Rugby Club. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
  20. "2005/06: National League 2". Moseley Rugby Club. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
  21. "2006/07: National League 2". Moseley Rugby Club. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
  22. "2007/08: National League 2". Moseley Rugby Club. Retrieved 15 August 2013.
  23. "2008/09: National League 2". Moseley Rugby Club. Retrieved 15 August 2013.
  24. "2009/10: National League 1". Moseley Rugby Club. Retrieved 15 August 2013.
  25. "Final League Tables 2010 – 2011". Trelawneys Army. Retrieved 15 August 2013.
  26. "English National League One Table". BBC. Retrieved 15 August 2013.
  27. "SSE National League 1". NCA. Retrieved 8 May 2014.
  28. "London Welsh: RFU refuses permission for Exiles to stay in Championship". BBC Sport. 24 January 2017.
  29. "Following government advice, the RFU will suspend all rugby activity in England, at both professional and community level". England Rugby. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  30. "RFU". www.englandrugby.com. Retrieved 25 March 2020.
  31. "National League 1". England Rugby. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
  32. "National League 1". England Rugby. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  33. "Jewson National League 1 1998/99". rugbyarchive.net. Retrieved 9 January 2016.
  34. "National One All time leading scorers". Rugby Statbunker. 27 April 2019.
  35. "Team news for tomorrow – Coventry Rugby". www.coventryrugby.co.uk. Retrieved 12 November 2017.
  36. "National One All time try scorers". Rugby Statbunker. 27 April 2019.
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