National League 1

National League 1, (which was known before September 2009 as National Division Two), is the third level of domestic rugby union competition in England. It was known as Courage League National Division Three when founded in 1987.[1] This is the lowest level of the English rugby union league system which is nationwide. The league consists of sixteen teams with all the teams playing each other on a home and away basis to make a total of thirty matches each. There is one promotion place and three relegation places. The champions are promoted to the Greene King IPA Championship and the bottom three teams are relegated to either National League 2 North or National League 2 South (formerly National Division Three North and South) depending on the geographical location of the team.

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 teams16
Promotion toRFU Championship
Relegation toNational League 2 North
National League 2 South
Current championsRichmond (3rd title)
(2019–20)
Most championshipsCoventry, Otley, Richmond (3 titles)
WebsiteNational League 1
Current: 2020–21 National League 1 (cancelled)

The 2019–20 season ended before all the matches were completed because of the coronavirus pandemic and the RFU used a best playing record formula to decide the final table.[2] Richmond are the current champions. Due to the ongoing pandemic, the 2020–21 season was cancelled.

The Rugby Football Union (RFU) has approved a new structure for the National Leagues from the 2022–23 season. Along with National League 2 North and South the size of the leagues at levels 3 and 4 will be reduced to 14 teams (currently 16), 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.[3]

Current season

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the 2020–21 season has been cancelled.

2021–22

Participating teams and locations

Twelve of the sixteen teams participated in the preceding season's competition. The 2019–20 champions, Richmond, were promoted to the 2020–21 RFU Championship, swapping places with bottom club, Leeds Tykes, who were relegated from the 2019–20 RFU Championship. Sides relegated from the 2019–20 National League 1 were; Canterbury, Hull Ionians and Rotherham Titans.

Teams promoted into the division were; Caldy and Taunton Titans, champions of 2019–20 National League 2 North and 2019–20 National League 2 South respectively, along with south runners up Tonbridge Juddians, who had a higher points average than the north's runner up Fylde. Taunton Titans and Tonbridge Juddians make their National League 1 debuts.

League table
2019–20 National League 1 Table
Played Won Drawn Lost Points for Points against Points diff Try bonus Losing bonus Points
1Richmond (C)25200574134739412597
2Rosslyn Park25181672847225612490
3Rams25190668052115916289[lower-alpha 1]
4Chinnor25162763150212913485
5Blackheath25161862151111012482
6Plymouth Albion25132106986178114575
7Darlington Mowden Park251311179651727914674
8Old Elthamians25131115745017310468
9Cambridge25122115715601111467
10Cinderford2313010526452747665
11Sale FC25120136216021910664
12Bishop's Stortford249213599595412961
13Birmingham Moseley258017505649−1444844
14Rotherham Titans (R)256118490727−2377740
15Canterbury (R)252023357824−4672616
16Hull Ionians (R)2411223301071-7413211
  • 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 relegation places.
Updated: 14 March 2020
Source: "National League 1". NCA Rugby.

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 One, and is currently the lowest tier that is nationwide. The league previously consisted of fourteen clubs, but from 2009–10 increased to sixteen. Only one team is now promoted to the RFU Championship and since 2009–10 three teams are relegated to National League 2 North and/or National League 2 South 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 Division 11630
2022–National Division 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[5]
1988–891211Plymouth Albion RugbyMetropolitan Police, Maidstone[6]
1989–901211London Scottish WakefieldLondon Welsh[6]
1990–911312West Hartlepool MorleyMetropolitan Police, Vale of Lune[7]
1991–921312RichmondFyldeNuneaton, Lydney[8]
1992–931211OtleyHavantMultiple teams[lower-alpha 2][9]
1993–941018CoventryFyldeHavant, Redruth[10]
1994–951018BedfordBlackheathClifton, Exeter[11]
1995–961018CoventryRichmond[lower-alpha 3]Fylde in last place (no relegation)[12]
1996–971630ExeterFyldeWalsall, Havant, Redruth, Clifton[13]

National League One
National League One
Season No of teams No of matches Champions Runners-up Relegated team(s) Ref
1997–981426WorcesterLeeds Tykes[lower-alpha 4]No relegation[14]
1998–991426HenleyManchesterMorley, Liverpool St Helens[15]
1999–001426OtleyBirmingham & SolihullReading, Blackheath[16]

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[17]
2001–021426OrrellPlymouth AlbionRosslyn Park, Waterloo, Preston Grasshoppers[17]
2002–031426Penzance-NewlynHenleyLaunceston, Kendal, Fylde[18]
2003–041426Sedgley ParkNottinghamRugby, Lydney[19]
2004–051426DoncasterNewburyNuneaton, Bracknell, Rosslyn Park[20]
2005–061426MoseleyWaterlooOrrell[21]
2006–071426EsherLauncestonBradford & Bingley, Barking, Harrogate[22]
2007–081426OtleyManchesterNuneaton, Henley Hawks, Halifax[23]
2008–091426Birmingham & SolihullCambridgeWestcombe 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
2009–101630EsherLondon ScottishNewbury, Nuneaton, Manchester[25]
2010–111630London ScottishBarkingRedruth, Otley, Launceston[26]
2011–121630JerseyEaling TrailfindersBirmingham & Solihull, Stourbridge, Barking
2012–131630Ealing TrailfindersEsherMacclesfield, Sedgley Park, Cambridge[27]
2013–141630Doncaster KnightsRosslyn ParkHenley Hawks, Worthing Raiders, Hull Ionians[28]
2014–151630Ealing TrailfindersRosslyn ParkTynedale, Macclesfield, Old Albanian
2015–161630RichmondHartpury CollegeHenley Hawks, Cinderford, Wharfedale
2016–171630Hartpury CollegePlymouth AlbionMacclesfield, Blaydon[lower-alpha 5]
2017–181630CoventryDarlington Mowden ParkFylde, Old Albanian, Hull Ionians
2018–191630AmpthillOld ElthamiansLoughborough Students, Esher, Caldy
2019–201625[lower-alpha 6]RichmondRamsHull Ionians, Canterbury, Rotherham Titans
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)[32]
  • 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 8]

  • 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.[33]
Rank Nat Name Years Club(s) Points Apps Ratio
1 Andrew Baggett 2001–08
2008–17		Wharfedale
Blaydon		1,7074094.2
2 Neil Hallett 1999–02
2002–04
2004–10
2011–12		Rosslyn Park
Bracknell
Esher
Ealing Trailfinders		1,4401818.0
3 Alastair Bressington 2004–05
2005–10, 2010–12
2010		Moseley
Stourbridge
Cinderford		1,2011478.2
4 Lee Cholewa 1996–97
1998–99, 2000–05
2005–07
2010–11		Rotherham
Harrogate
London Welsh
London Scottish		1,1681468.0
5 Chris Johnson 2012–16
2019, 2019-		Fylde
Sale FC		1,0751199.0
6 Clifford Hodgson 2012–2017
2019–[34]		Coventry
Birmingham Moseley		1,024
109
9.4
Mark Bedworth 2005–10Wharfedale1,0241149.0
7 Ben Harvey 1996–97
1999–00
2000–01
2001–05		Richmond
Worcester Warriors
Moseley
Stourbridge		9871188.4
8 Jonathon Gregory 1996–97
2000–04		Richmond
Esher		9708411.5
9 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).[35]
Rank Nat Name Years Club(s) Tries Apps Ratio
1 David Allen 2004–17Blackheath1472770.5
2 Oliver Brennand 2011–17Fylde1171610.7
3 Hugo Ellis 2012–Rosslyn Park1071550.7
4 Phil Chesters 2011–13, 2014–15Ealing Trailfinders105821.3
5 Jason Smithson 2007–17Blaydon962240.4
6 Chris Malherbe 1998–99
2001–02
2002–11		Camberley
Kendal
Wharfedale		952220.4
Andrew Hodgson 1997–99, 2000–04, 2005–13, 2014–16Wharfedale952640.4
7 Christoff Lombaard 2006–07, 2008–10
2012–15, 16-17		Cambridge
Old Albanian		811510.5
8 Nigel Baker 2009-12
2013-15, 2016
2015
2016-19		Stourbridge
Cinderford
Coventry
Ampthill		791490.5
9 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. Rams deducted 5 points due to an issue with their Payment of Players declaration during the 2018–19 National League 2 South season.[4]
  2. 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.
  3. Rugby and Rotherham were also promoted.
  4. London Welsh and Rugby were also promoted.
  5. 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]
  6. 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]
  7. Penzance & Newlyn are now known as the Cornish Pirates.
  8. 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 ends the 2019/20 rugby season in England". EnglandRugby. Retrieved 24 December 2020.
  3. "RFU approve future competition structure for 2022/23". ncarugby. Retrieved 24 December 2020.
  4. "RAMS DEDUCTED 5 POINTS". Rams RFC (Pitchero). 26 February 2020. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
  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. "Jewson National League 1 1998/99". rugbyarchive.net. Retrieved 9 January 2016.
  33. "National One All time leading scorers". Rugby Statbunker. 27 April 2019.
  34. "Team news for tomorrow – Coventry Rugby". www.coventryrugby.co.uk. Retrieved 12 November 2017.
  35. "National One All time try scorers". Rugby Statbunker. 27 April 2019.
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