National League 1

Updated on Dec 24, 2024

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Sport Rugby union Most titles Otley (3 titles) Promotion to RFU Championship Founded 1987		Country England Website National League 1 Number of teams 16

Instituted 1987; 30 years ago (1987) Holders Hartpury College (2016–17) Instances 2016–17 National League 1 Teams Plymouth Albion RFC, Rosslyn Park FC, Blackheath FC, Coventry RFC, Esher RFC

Fylde 42 22 henley hawks national league 1 highlights talking rugby union

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. 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.

Richmond are the champions and return to the RFU Championship, for the first time since 1996–97 season. Cinderford, Henley Hawks and Wharfedale are relegated.

Rugby national league 1 blaydon 27 14 darlington mowden park highlights 23 4 16

Participating teams and locations

Twelve of the sixteen teams participated in last season's competition. The 2015–16 champions, Richmond, are promoted to the 2016–17 RFU Championship and are replaced by Birmingham Moseley (who changed their name from Moseley prior to the season) who are relegated from the 2015–16 RFU Championship. The three teams relegated last season, are Henley Hawks and Cinderford (both to the 2016–17 National League 2 South) and Wharfedale (2016–17 National League 2 North) - with Wharfedale dropping from the third tier for the first time in 20 years. The promoted teams are Cambridge and Macclesfield champions of the 2015–16 National League 2 South and 2015–16 National League 2 North respectively, and Old Albanian who won the promotion play-off against Sedgley Park.

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.

Original teams

When the league system was formed in 1987, the following teams participated in the league, which was known as National 3. Twenty-nine years on only two teams, Fylde and Plymouth Albion are currently playing at this level. (Updated to 2016–17)

Birmingham — now Birmingham & Solihull, playing in National League 3 Midlands (5th tier)

Exeter — now playing in the Premiership (1st tier)

Fylde — currently playing in this division (3rd tier)

Maidstone — now playing in London 1 South (6th tier)

Metropolitan Police — now playing in Surrey 3 (11th tier)

Morley — now playing in National League 3 North (5th tier)

Nuneaton — now playing in National League 3 Midlands (5th tier)

Plymouth Albion — currently playing in this division (3rd tier)

Sheffield — now playing in National League 3 North (5th 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)

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 2015–16 season.

League records

Most titles: 3, Otley (1992–93, 1999–00, 2007–08)

Most times promoted from division: 3, Rugby Lions (1988–89, 1995–96, 2000–01), Fylde (1991–92, 1993–94, 1996–97), Otley (1992–93, 1999–00, 2007–08), Richmond (1991–92, 1995–96, 2015–16)

Most times relegated from division: 4, Nuneaton (1991–92, 2004–05, 2007–08, 2009–10)

Most league points in a season: 136, Ealing Trailfinders (2014–15)

Least league points in a season: 0, West Hartlepool (2000–01), Manchester (2009–10)

Most points scored in a season: 1,416, Esher (2009–10)

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)

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: 28, Esher (2009–10)

Most games lost in a season: 30, Manchester (2009–10)

Most games drawn in a season: 4, Wharfedale (2005–06), Richmond (2012–13)

Most bonus points in a season: 28, Ealing Trailfinders (2014–15)

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)

Most drop kicks scored in a match: 3, Fylde away to Esher on 13 February 2016

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

Most drop kicks in a match: 3, Chris Johnson for Fylde away to Esher on 13 February 2016

Highest attendance (league game): 3,648, Jersey at home to Rosslyn Park on 14 January 2012 (2011–12)

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): 599 (2013–14)

Lowest average attendance (season): 463 (2004–05)

Top ten point scorers

As of the end of the games of 30 April 2016. 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.

(Bold denotes players still playing in National League 1)

Top ten try scorers

As of the end of the games of 30 April 2016. Stats taken from 1996–97 season onwards and include regular league games only in National League 1 (no cup games).