National League 1

{{Short description|Rugby union competition in England}} {{About|the rugby union competition|the rugby league competition formerly known as National League One|Championship (rugby league)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2015}} {{Use British English|date=May 2015}} {{Infobox football league | name = National League 1 | current_season = 2025–26 National League 1 | logo = | pixels = | founded = {{Start date and age|1987}} | teams = 14 | levels = Level 3 | promotion = RFU Championship | relegation = National Two East National Two North National Two West | country = {{ENG}} | champions = Rotherham Titans (1st title) | most_champs = Richmond (4 titles) | season = 2025–26 | TV = | website = [http://www.englandrugby.com/fixtures-and-results/competitions/national-leagues/ 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 men’s leagues in the domestic rugby union competition of England. It was known as '''Courage League National Division Three''' when it was founded in 1987.<ref name=Rothmans>{{cite book|title=Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1988–89|year=1988|publisher=Rothmans Publications Ltd|location=London|editor=Stephen Jones}}</ref> Richmond are the current champions.

The Rugby Football Union (RFU) approved a new structure for the National Leagues from the 2022–23 season. This division was reduced to fourteen teams, playing each other on a home and away basis to make a total of 26 matches each.

==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. For the 2025–26 season there is one automatic promotion place, with the champions going up to Champ Rugby, while the runners up will play the 13th placed Champ Rugby side in a playoff for a possible second promotion place.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-05-15 |title=Extra drama added at both ends as RFU unveil new-look Champ Rugby |url=https://www.rugbypass.com/news/promotion-and-relegation-to-return-as-rfu-unveil-new-look-champ-rugby/ |access-date=2025-05-17 |website=www.rugbypass.com |language=en}}</ref>

Clubs finishing 12th, 13th and 14th will automatically be relegated to either, National League 2 East, National League 2 North or National League 2 West, depending on the geographical location of the team. The 11th placed side will enter a four team playoff with the runners up of the three tier 4 leagues, with one side going up/remaining in National League 1.<ref>{{cite web |title=National League Play-Offs for 2025/2026 |url=https://www.redruthrugbyclub.co.uk/news/national-league-playoffs-for-20252026-2935851.html |publisher=Redruth Rugby Football Club |date=29 August 2025}}</ref>

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.

==Current season== {{Main|2025–26 National League 1}}

==Participating teams and locations==

{{Location map+|England|width=400|float=right|caption=2025–26 National 1 teams in England|places= {{location map~ |England |lat=52.483056 |long=-1.893611 |label={{raise|{{background color|white|Birmingham Moseley}}}}|position=left|label_size=80}} {{location map~ |England |lat=51.8720 |long=-0.143724|label={{background color|white|Bishop's Stortford}}|position=top|label_size=80}} {{location map~ |England |lat=51.460000 |long=-2.620000 |label={{lower|{{background color|white|Clifton}}}}|position=left|label_size=80}} {{location map~ |England |lat=51.4983406 |long=-2.5285273 |label={{background color|white|Dings Crusaders}}|position=top|label_size=80}} {{location map~ |England |lat=53.8163865 |long=-1.5844104 |label={{raise|{{background color|white|Leeds Tykes}}}}|position=right|label_size=80}} {{location map~ |England |lat=52.574344 |long=-1.163394 |label={{raise|{{background color|white|Leicester Lions}}}}|position=right|label_size=80}} {{location map~ |England |lat=50.371397 |long=-4.142431 |label={{background color|white|Plymouth Albion}}|position=top|label_size=80}} {{location map~ |England |lat=51.473196 |long=-0.906573 |label={{background color|white|Rams}}|position=left|label_size=80}} {{location map~ |England |lat=53.4301 |long=-1.3572 |label={{background color|white|Rotherham Titans}}|position=right|label_size=80}} {{location map~ |England |lat=53.425560 |long=-2.32370 |label={{lower|{{background color|white|Sale FC}}}}|position=left|label_size=80}} {{location map~ |England |lat=53.5520 |long=-2.299201 |label={{no break|{{raise|{{background color|white|Sedgley Park}}}}}}|position=left|label_size=80}} {{location map~ |England |lat=51.1979|long=0.2735 |label={{background color|white|Tonbridge Juddians}}|position=left|label_size=80}} {{location map~ |England |lat=51.50737 |long=-0.12766|label={{background color|white|'''London'''}}|position=right|label_size=80|mark=Cyan pog.svg}} }}

{{Location map+|Greater London |caption=2025–26 Greater London National League 1 clubs |alt=Greater London National League 1 clubs |float=right |width=400 |places = {{location map~ |Greater London |lat=51.45782 |long=0.04584 |label={{background color|white|Blackheath}}|position=right|label_size=80}} {{Location map~|Greater London |lat=51.463457 |long=-0.249171|label={{background color|white|Rosslyn Park}}|label_size=80|position=right}} }}

{| class="wikitable sortable" |- !Team !Ground !Capacity !City/Area !Previous season |- | Birmingham Moseley || Billesley Common<ref>{{cite web |title=Contact us |url=https://moseleyrugby.co.uk/contact/ |website=Moseley Rugby |access-date=22 June 2023}}</ref> || 5,000 (1,300 seats) || Birmingham, West Midlands || 7th |- | Bishop's Stortford || Silver Leys<ref>{{cite web |title=Silver Leys |url=https://www.bsrfc.co.uk/contact |website=Bishop Stortford RFC |access-date=22 June 2023}}</ref> || 1,600 || Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire || 9th |- | Blackheath || Well Hall || 1,650 (550 seats) || Eltham, London || 6th |- | Clifton || Station Road <ref>{{cite web |title=Station Road |url=https://www.cliftonrugby.co.uk/contact |website=Clifton Rugby Club |access-date=10 June 2023}}</ref> || 2,200 (200 seats)<ref>{{cite book|title=Courage Official Rugby Union Club Directory 1990–91|year=1990|publisher=Burlington Publishing Co. Ltd|location=Windsor|edition=3rd|editor=Tony Williams and Bill Mitchell|page=135|chapter=Clifton R.F.C. (Ground Details)}}</ref> || Cribbs Causeway, Patchway, Bristol || Promoted from National League 2 West (champions)<ref>{{cite web |title=Clifton Crowned National Two West Champions! |url=https://www.cliftonrugby.co.uk/news/clifton-crowned-national-two-west-champions-2914855.html |publisher=Clifton RFC|date=28 April 2025 }}</ref> |- | Dings Crusaders || Shaftesbury Park <ref>{{cite web |title=Shaftsbury Park |url=https://www.dingscrusaders.com/contact |website=Dings Crusaders RFC |access-date=10 June 2023}}</ref> || 2,250 (250 seats) || Frenchay, Bristol || 10th |- | Leeds Tykes || The Sycamores || 1,500 || Bramhope, Leeds, West Yorkshire || Promoted from National League 2 North (champions)<ref>{{cite web |title=Leeds Tykes prove to be made of 'the right stuff' as tougher tests await in National One |url=https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/other-sport/leeds-tykes-prove-to-be-made-of-the-right-stuff-as-tougher-tests-await-in-national-one-5079390 |publisher=Yorkshire Evening Post|date=11 April 2025 }}</ref> |- | Leicester Lions || Westleigh Park || 2,000 || Blaby, Leicestershire || 12th{{efn|Typically the 12th placed team would be relegated but Leicester Lions avoided relegation from the 2024–25 National League 1 due to the RFU Championship expanding from 12 to 14 teams ahead of the 2025–26 season.<ref>{{cite web |title=Promotion/Relegation 2024-25 |url=https://www.rfulondon.com/node/prom |publisher=London & SE Division Rugby Football Union |date=2 March 2025}}</ref>}} |- | Plymouth Albion || The Brickfields<ref>{{cite web |title=Contact Us |url=https://plymouthalbion.com/contact-us/ |website=Plymouth Albion RFC |access-date=22 June 2023}}</ref> || 8,500 || Plymouth, Devon || 4th |- | Rams || Old Bath Road<ref>{{cite web |title=Rams Rugby Club |url=https://www.ramsrugby.com/contact |website=Rams Rugby Football Club |access-date=22 June 2023}}</ref> || 2,000 (300 seats)<ref>{{cite news |title=Rams would be happy to play in RFU's new Tier 2|work=The RugbyPaper |issue=802 |date=28 January 2024 |pages=1–2}}</ref> || Sonning, Reading, Berkshire || 5th |- | Rosslyn Park || The Rock || 2,000 (630 seats) || Roehampton, London || 2nd |- | Rotherham Titans || Clifton Lane<ref>{{cite web |title=Clifton Lane: The Perfect Function Room Venue |url=https://www.titans-rugby.com/ |website=Titans Rugby |access-date=13 June 2023}}</ref>|| 2,500 || Rotherham, South Yorkshire || 3rd |- | Sale FC || Heywood Road<ref>{{cite web |title=Contact Us |url=https://www.salefc.com/salefc_contact-us |website=SaleFC |access-date=22 June 2023}}</ref> || 3,387 || Sale, Greater Manchester || 8th |- | Sedgley Park || Park Lane<ref>{{cite web |title=Park Lane - Sedgley Park RUFC |url=https://www.britinfo.net/T/1127257.htm |website=UK Events |access-date=23 June 2023}}</ref> || 3,000 || Whitefield, Bury, Greater Manchester || 11th |- | Tonbridge Juddians || The Slade || 1,500 || Tonbridge, Kent || Promoted from National League 2 East (champions)<ref>{{cite web |title=Round 25 Takeaways: Leicester Lions roar, Hull + Billingham boost hopes, TJs are the champs and Clifton + Camborne survive scares |url=https://nationalleaguerugby.com/news/round-25-takeaways-leicester-lions-roar-hull-billingham-boost-hopes-tjs-are-the-champs-and-clifton-camborne-survive-scares/ |publisher=NCA Rugby|date=13 April 2025 }}</ref> |- |}

===League table=== {{#section:2025–26 National League 1|Table}}

==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 to 2010 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=== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align: left;" |-

|- align=left

|- | 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==== {| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: left;" |- |colspan="11" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"| {| border="0" style="width:100%;" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"

| style="width:20%; border:0;"| | style="border:0;"|'''National Division Three''' | style="width:20%; border:0;"| |} |- ! style="width:60px;"|Season ! style="width:50px;"|No of teams ! style="width:50px;"|No of matches ! style="width:175px;"|Champions ! style="width:175px;"|Runners-up ! style="width:350px;"|Relegated team(s) ! style="width:30px;"|Ref |- align=left | 1987–88 || style="text-align: center;"| 12 || style="text-align: center;"| 11 || '''Wakefield''' || West Hartlepool || Morley, Birmingham || <ref>{{cite book|title=Courage Leagues 1988–89|year=1988|publisher=Queen Anne Press|location=London|isbn=0356158845|editor=Stephen Jones}}</ref> |- | 1988–89 || style="text-align: center;"| 12 || style="text-align: center;"| 11 || style="background:#d8ffeb;"| '''Plymouth Albion''' || style="background:#d8ffeb;"| Rugby || Metropolitan Police, Maidstone || <ref name=courage91>{{cite book|title=Courage Clubs Championship. Official Rugby Union Club Directory 1990–91|year=1990|publisher=Burlington Publishing Co Ltd|location=Horsham|isbn=1873057024|editor=Tony Williams and Bill Mitchell}}</ref> |- | 1989–90 || style="text-align: center;"| 12 || style="text-align: center;"| 11 || style="background:#d8ffeb;"| '''London Scottish''' || style="background:#d8ffeb;"| Wakefield || London Welsh || <ref name=courage91/> |- | 1990–91 || style="text-align: center;"| 13 || style="text-align: center;"| 12 || style="background:#d8ffeb;"| '''West Hartlepool''' || style="background:#d8ffeb;"| Morley || Metropolitan Police, Vale of Lune || <ref>{{cite book|title=Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1991–92|year=1991|publisher=Queen Anne Press|location=London|isbn=0356202496|editor=Stephen Jones}}</ref> |- | 1991–92 || style="text-align: center;"| 13 || style="text-align: center;"| 12 || style="background:#d8ffeb;"| '''Richmond''' || style="background:#d8ffeb;"| Fylde || Nuneaton, Lydney || <ref>{{cite web|title=Courage Club Championship 1991/92|url=http://www.moseleyrugby.co.uk/report_display12.php?menitem=98|publisher=Moseley Rugby club|access-date=22 June 2013}}</ref> |- | 1992–93 || style="text-align: center;"| 12 || style="text-align: center;"| 11 || style="background:#d8ffeb;"| '''Otley''' || Havant || Multiple teams{{efn|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.}} || <ref name=moseley93>{{cite web|title=Courage Clubs Championship-1992/93|url=http://www.moseleyrugby.co.uk/report_display12.php?menitem=99|publisher=Moseley Rugby Club|access-date=22 June 2013}}</ref> |- | 1993–94 || style="text-align: center;"| 10 || style="text-align: center;"| 18 || style="background:#d8ffeb;"| '''Coventry''' || style="background:#d8ffeb;"| Fylde || Havant, Redruth || <ref>{{cite web|title=Courage Clubs Championship 1993/94|url=http://www.moseleyrugby.co.uk/report_display12.php?menitem=100|publisher=Moseley Rugby Club|access-date=22 June 2013}}</ref> |- | 1994–95 || style="text-align: center;"| 10 || style="text-align: center;"| 18 || style="background:#d8ffeb;"| '''Bedford''' || style="background:#d8ffeb;"| Blackheath || Clifton, Exeter || <ref>{{cite web|title=Courage Club Championships 1994/95|url=http://www.moseleyrugby.co.uk/report_display12.php?menitem=101|publisher=Moseley Rugby Club|access-date=22 June 2013}}</ref> |- | 1995–96 || style="text-align: center;"| 10 || style="text-align: center;"| 18 || style="background:#d8ffeb;"| '''Coventry''' || style="background:#d8ffeb;"| Richmond{{efn|Rugby and Rotherham were also promoted.}} || Fylde in last place (no relegation) || <ref>{{cite book|title=Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1996–97|year=1996|publisher=Headline Book Publishing|location=London|isbn=0747277710|editor=Mick Cleary}}</ref> |- | 1996–97 || style="text-align: center;"| 16 || style="text-align: center;"| 30 || style="background:#d8ffeb;"| '''Exeter''' || style="background:#d8ffeb;"| Fylde || Walsall, Havant, Redruth, Clifton || <ref>{{cite book|title=Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1997–98|year=1987|publisher=Headline Book Publishers|location=London|isbn=074727732X|editor=Mick Cleary}}</ref> |}

====National League One==== {| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: left;" |- |colspan="11" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"| {| border="0" style="width:100%;" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"

| 1997–98 || style="text-align: center;"| 14 || style="text-align: center;"| 26 || style="background:#d8ffeb;"| '''Worcester''' || style="background:#d8ffeb;"| Leeds Tykes{{efn|London Welsh and Rugby were also promoted.}} || No relegation || <ref>{{cite web|title=1997/98: Jewson National Division (formerly Courage League National Division 3)|url=http://www.moseleyrugby.co.uk/report_display12.php?menitem=104|publisher=Moseley Rugby Club|access-date=22 June 2013|archive-date=28 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140728224740/http://www.moseleyrugby.co.uk/report_display12.php?menitem=104|url-status=dead}}</ref> |- | 1998–99 || style="text-align: center;"| 14 || style="text-align: center;"| 26 || style="background:#d8ffeb;"| '''Henley''' || style="background:#d8ffeb;"| Manchester || Morley, Liverpool St Helens || <ref>{{cite book|title=Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1999–2000|year=1999|publisher=Headline Book Publishing|location=London|isbn=0747275319|editor=Mick Cleary and John Griffiths}}</ref> |- | 1999–00 || style="text-align: center;"| 14 || style="text-align: center;"| 26 || style="background:#d8ffeb;"| '''Otley''' || style="background:#d8ffeb;"| Birmingham & Solihull || Reading, Blackheath || <ref>{{cite book|title=The Official RFU Club Directory 2000–2001|year=2000|publisher=Queen Anne Press|location=Harpenden|isbn=1852916273|editor=Stephen McCormack}}</ref> |- |}

====National Division Two==== {| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: left;" |- |colspan="11" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"| {| border="0" style="width:100%;" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"

| style="width:20%; border:0;"| | style="border:0;"|'''National Division Two''' | style="width:20%; border:0;"| |} |- ! style="width:60px;"|Season ! style="width:50px;"|No of teams ! style="width:50px;"|No of matches ! style="width:175px;"|Champions ! style="width:175px;"|Runners-up ! style="width:350px;"|Relegated team(s) ! style="width:30px;"|Ref |- align=left | 2000–01 || style="text-align: center;"| 14 || style="text-align: center;"| 26 || style="background:#d8ffeb;"| '''Bracknell''' || style="background:#d8ffeb;"| Rugby || Camberley, Lydney, West Hartlepool || <ref name=courage2002>{{cite book|title=The Official RFU Club Directory 2001–2002|year=2001|publisher=Queen Anne Press|location=Harpender|isbn=1852916400|editor=Stephen McCormack}}</ref> |- | 2001–02 || style="text-align: center;"| 14 || style="text-align: center;"| 26 || style="background:#d8ffeb;"| '''Orrell''' || style="background:#d8ffeb;"| Plymouth Albion || Rosslyn Park, Waterloo, Preston Grasshoppers || <ref name=courage2002/> |- | 2002–03 || style="text-align: center;"| 14 || style="text-align: center;"| 26 || style="background:#d8ffeb;"| '''Penzance-Newlyn''' || style="background:#d8ffeb;"| Henley || Launceston, Kendal, Fylde || <ref>{{cite book|title=The Official RFU Club Directory 2002–2003|year=2002|publisher=Queen Anne Press|location=Harpenden|isbn=1852916451|author=Stephen McCormack}}</ref> |- | 2003–04 || style="text-align: center;"| 14 || style="text-align: center;"| 26 || style="background:#d8ffeb;"| '''Sedgley Park''' || style="background:#d8ffeb;"| Nottingham || Rugby, Lydney || <ref>{{cite web|title=National Division 1 2003/04|url=http://www.moseleyrugby.co.uk/report_display12.php?menitem=109|publisher=Moseley Rugby Club|access-date=22 June 2013}}</ref> |- | 2004–05 || style="text-align: center;"| 14 || style="text-align: center;"| 26 || style="background:#d8ffeb;"| '''Doncaster''' || style="background:#d8ffeb;"| Newbury || Nuneaton, Bracknell, Rosslyn Park || <ref>{{cite web|title=2004/05: National League 2.|url=http://www.moseleyrugby.co.uk/report_display12.php?menitem=110|publisher=Moseley Rugby Club|access-date=22 June 2013}}</ref> |- | 2005–06 || style="text-align: center;"| 14 || style="text-align: center;"| 26 || style="background:#d8ffeb;"| '''Moseley''' || style="background:#d8ffeb;"| Waterloo || Orrell || <ref>{{cite web|title=2005/06: National League 2.|url=http://www.moseleyrugby.co.uk/report_display12.php?menitem=136|publisher=Moseley Rugby Club|access-date=21 July 2013}}</ref> |- | 2006–07 || style="text-align: center;"| 14 || style="text-align: center;"| 26 || style="background:#d8ffeb;"| '''Esher''' || style="background:#d8ffeb;"| Launceston || Bradford & Bingley, Barking, Harrogate || <ref>{{cite web|title=2006/07: National League 2|url=http://www.moseleyrugby.co.uk/report_display12.php?menitem=111|publisher=Moseley Rugby Club|access-date=21 July 2013}}</ref> |- | 2007–08 || style="text-align: center;"| 14 || style="text-align: center;"| 26 || style="background:#d8ffeb;"| '''Otley''' || style="background:#d8ffeb;"| Manchester || Nuneaton, Henley Hawks, Halifax || <ref>{{cite web|title=2007/08: National League 2|url=http://www.moseleyrugby.co.uk/report_display12.php?menitem=112|publisher=Moseley Rugby Club|access-date=15 August 2013}}</ref> |- | 2008–09 || style="text-align: center;"| 14 || style="text-align: center;"| 26 || style="background:#d8ffeb;"| '''Birmingham & Solihull''' || Cambridge || Westcombe Park, Southend, Mounts Bay, Waterloo || <ref>{{cite web|title=2008/09: National League 2|url=http://www.moseleyrugby.co.uk/report_display12.php?menitem=113|publisher=Moseley Rugby Club|access-date=15 August 2013}}</ref> |- |}

| style="width:20%; border:0;"| | style="border:0;"|'''National League One''' | style="width:20%; border:0;"| |} |- ! style="width:60px;"|Season ! style="width:50px;"|No of teams ! style="width:50px;"|No of matches ! style="width:175px;"|Champions ! style="width:175px;"|Runners-up ! style="width:350px;"|Relegated team(s) ! style="width:30px;"|Ref |- align=left | 2009–10 || style="text-align: center;"| 16 || style="text-align: center;"| 30 || style="background:#d8ffeb;"| '''Esher''' || London Scottish || Newbury, Nuneaton, Manchester || <ref>{{cite web|title=2009/10: National League 1|url=http://www.moseleyrugby.co.uk/report_display12.php?menitem=114|publisher=Moseley Rugby Club|access-date=15 August 2013}}</ref> |- | 2010–11 || style="text-align: center;"| 16 || style="text-align: center;"| 30 || style="background:#d8ffeb;"| '''London Scottish''' || Barking || Redruth, Otley, Launceston ||<ref>{{cite web|title=Final League Tables 2010 – 2011|url=http://www.trelawnys-army.org.uk/ta/tables1011.html|publisher=Trelawneys Army|access-date=15 August 2013}}</ref> |- | 2011–12 || style="text-align: center;"| 16 || style="text-align: center;"| 30 || style="background:#d8ffeb;"| '''Jersey''' || Ealing Trailfinders || Birmingham & Solihull, Stourbridge, Barking || |- | 2012–13 || style="text-align: center;"| 16 || style="text-align: center;"| 30 || style="background:#d8ffeb;"| '''Ealing Trailfinders''' || Esher || Macclesfield, Sedgley Park, Cambridge ||<ref>{{cite web|title=English National League One Table|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/english-national-league-one/table|publisher=BBC|access-date=15 August 2013}}</ref> |- | 2013–14 || style="text-align: center;"| 16 || style="text-align: center;"| 30 || style="background:#d8ffeb;"| '''Doncaster Knights''' || Rosslyn Park || Henley Hawks, Worthing Raiders, Hull Ionians ||<ref>{{cite web|title=SSE National League 1|url=http://www.ncarugby.org/index.php?pg=T%20SSE%20National%20League%201&season=&league=SSE%20Nat%20League%201|publisher=NCA|access-date=8 May 2014}}</ref> |- | 2014–15 || style="text-align: center;"| 16 || style="text-align: center;"| 30 || style="background:#d8ffeb;"| '''Ealing Trailfinders''' || Rosslyn Park || Tynedale, Macclesfield, Old Albanian || |- | 2015–16 || style="text-align: center;"| 16 || style="text-align: center;"| 30 || style="background:#d8ffeb;"| '''Richmond''' || Hartpury College || Henley Hawks, Cinderford, Wharfedale || |- | 2016–17 || style="text-align: center;"| 16 || style="text-align: center;"| 30 || style="background:#d8ffeb;"| '''Hartpury College''' || Plymouth Albion || Macclesfield, Blaydon{{efn|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.<ref name=londonwelshliquidation>{{cite web|title=London Welsh: RFU refuses permission for Exiles to stay in Championship|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/38736486|website=BBC Sport|date=24 January 2017}}</ref>}} || |- | 2017–18 || style="text-align: center;"| 16 || style="text-align: center;"| 30 || style="background:#d8ffeb;"| '''Coventry''' || Darlington Mowden Park || Fylde, Old Albanian, Hull Ionians || |- | 2018–19 || style="text-align: center;"| 16 || style="text-align: center;"| 30 || style="background:#d8ffeb;"| '''Ampthill''' || Old Elthamians || Loughborough Students, Esher, Caldy || |- | 2019–20 || style="text-align: center;"| 16 || style="text-align: center;"| 25{{efn|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.<ref>{{cite web |title=Following government advice, the RFU will suspend all rugby activity in England, at both professional and community level |url=https://www.englandrugby.com/news/article/rugby-football-union-suspends-all-rugby |website=England Rugby|access-date=17 March 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.englandrugby.com/news/article/rfu-ends-the-201920-rugby-season-in-england|title=RFU|website=www.englandrugby.com|access-date=2020-03-25}}</ref>}} || style="background:#d8ffeb;"| '''Richmond''' || Rams || Hull Ionians, Canterbury, Rotherham Titans || |- | 2020–21 || colspan="15"; text-align:center;"| Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the season was cancelled. |- | 2021–22 || style="text-align: center;"| 15 || style="text-align: center;"| 28 || style="background:#d8ffeb;"| '''Caldy''' || Sale FC || Blackheath, Tonbridge Juddians ||<ref>{{cite web |title=National League 1 Final Standings 2021–22 |url=https://www.englandrugby.com/fixtures-and-results/search-results?competition=1605&division=33220&season=2021-2022#table |website=England Rugby |access-date=8 May 2022}}</ref> |- | 2022–23 || style="text-align: center;"| 14 || style="text-align: center;"| 26 || style="background:#d8ffeb;"| '''Cambridge''' || Rams || Esher, Leeds Tykes, Hull || <ref>{{cite web |title=National League 1 Final Standings 2022–23 |url=https://www.englandrugby.com/fixtures-and-results/search-results?competition=1605&division=41251&season=2022-2023#table |website=England Rugby |access-date=8 May 2023}}</ref> |- | 2023–24 || style="text-align: center;"| 14 || style="text-align: center;"| 26 || style="background:#d8ffeb;"| '''Chinnor''' || Rams || Cinderford, Taunton Titans || <ref>{{cite web |title=National League 1 Final Standings 2023–24 |url=https://www.englandrugby.com/fixtures-and-results/search-results?competition=1605&division=46994&season=2023-2024#table |website=England Rugby | date=27 April 2024 }}</ref> |- | 2024–25 || style="text-align: center;"| 14 || style="text-align: center;"| 26 || style="background:#d8ffeb;"| '''Richmond''' || Rosslyn Park || Darlington Mowden Park, Esher{{efn|The expansion of the 2025–26 RFU Championship from 12 to 14 teams meant only 2 teams were relegated instead of 3 meaning that 12th placed Leicester Lions stayed in National League 1.}} || <ref>{{cite web |title=National League 1 Final Standings 2024–25 |url=https://www.englandrugby.com/fixtures-and-results/search-results?competition=1605&division=56483&season=2024-2025 |website=England Rugby | date=26 April 2025 }}</ref> |- | 2025–26 || style="text-align: center;"| 14 || style="text-align: center;"| 26 || style="background:#d8ffeb;"| '''Rotherham Titans''' || style="background:#d8ffeb;"| Blackheath || Leicester Lions, Sedgley Park, Clifton || |- | colspan="15" style="border:0; font-size:smaller; text-align:center;"| Green background are the promotion places. |}

==Number of league titles== {{div col|colwidth=22em}} *Richmond (4) *Coventry (3) *Otley (3) *Doncaster Knights (2) *Ealing Trailfinders (2) *Esher (2) *London Scottish (2) *Ampthill (1) *Bedford (1) *Birmingham & Solihull (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){{efn|Penzance & Newlyn are now known as the Cornish Pirates.}} *Plymouth Albion (1) *Rotherham Titans (1) *Sedgley Park (1) *Wakefield (1) *West Hartlepool (1) *Worcester (1) {{div col end}}

==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:''' 4 :Richmond (1991–92, 2015–16, 2019–20, 2024–25) * '''Most times promoted from division:''' 5 :Richmond (1991–92, 1995–96, 2015–16, 2019–20, 2024–25) * '''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)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyarchive.net/pagine/StagioneCompetizioni.aspx?ID=23 |title=Jewson National League 1 1998/99 |publisher=rugbyarchive.net |access-date=9 January 2016 }}</ref> *'''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 :{{flagicon|ENG}} Neil Hallett for Esher (2005–06, 2006–07) *'''Most times top try scorer: ''' 3 :{{flagicon|ENG}} Phil Chesters for Ealing Trailfinders (2011–12, 2012–13, 2014–15) *'''Most points in a season: ''' 399 :{{flagicon|ENG}} Sam Ulph for Esher (2009–10) *'''Most tries in a season: ''' 42 :{{flagicon|ENG}} William Harding for Blackheath (2025–26) *'''Most points in a match: ''' 51 :{{flagicon|ENG}} Sam Ulph for Esher away to Manchester on 5 September 2009 (2009–10) *'''Most tries in a match: ''' 7 :{{flagicon|ENG}} Hugo Ellis for Rosslyn Park at home to Cambridge on 12 January 2013 *'''Most conversions in a match: ''' 18 :{{flagicon|ENG}} Sam Ulph for Esher away to Manchester on 5 September 2009 (2009–10) *'''Most penalties in a match: ''' 8 :{{flagicon|ENG}} Jonathon Gregory for Esher at home to Preston Grasshoppers on 1 December 2001 (2001–02) :{{flagicon|ENG}} Ben Harvey for Stourbridge at home to Rosslyn Park on 25 October 2003 (2003–04) :{{flagicon|WAL}} Gareth Thompson for Hartpury College at home to Rosslyn Park on 9 April 2016 (2015–16) :{{flagicon|ENG}} Alex Dolly for Rotherham Titans at home to Rosslyn Park on 15 September 2018 (2018–19) *'''Most drop kicks in a match:''' 3 :{{flagicon|ENG}} Chris Johnson for Fylde away to Esher on 13 February 2016 (2015–16)

===Attendance records=== {{efn|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.}} *'''Highest attendance (league game):''' 4,631 :Plymouth Albion at home to Rams on 14 March 2026 (2025–26) *'''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=== {{Updated| 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rugby.statbunker.com/alltimestats/AllTimeLeadingTopScorers?comp_code=8218482 |title=National One All time leading scorers |publisher=Rugby Statbunker |date=27 April 2019 }}</ref>}}

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: center" |- !width=30|Rank !width=50|Nat !width=150|Name !width=150|Years !width=150|Club(s) !width=70|Points !width=70|Apps !width=70|Ratio |- |1 |{{flagicon|ENG}} |align=left|Andrew Baggett |2001–08 2008–17||Wharfedale Blaydon||1,707||409||4.2  |- |2 |{{flagicon|ENG}} |align=left|Neil Hallett |1999–02 2002–04 2004–10 2011–12||Rosslyn Park Bracknell Esher Ealing Trailfinders||1,440||181||8.0 |- |3 |{{flagicon|ENG}} |align=left|Alastair Bressington |2004–05 2005–10, 2010–12 2010||Moseley Stourbridge Cinderford||1,201||147||8.2 |- |4 |{{flagicon|ENG}} |align=left|Lee Cholewa |1996–97 1998–99, 2000–05 2005–07 2010–11||Rotherham Harrogate London Welsh London Scottish||1,168||146||8.0 |- |5 |{{flagicon|ENG}} |align=left|'''Chris Johnson''' |2012–16 2019, 2019–||Fylde Sale FC||1,075||119||9.0 |- |rowspan=2| 6 |{{flagicon|RSA}} |align=left|'''Clifford Hodgson''' |2012–2017 2019–<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.coventryrugby.co.uk/2017/09/15/team-news-for-tomorrow/|title=Team news for tomorrow – Coventry Rugby|website=www.coventryrugby.co.uk|language=en-GB|access-date=2017-11-12}}</ref>||Coventry Birmingham Moseley||1,024 ||109 ||9.4  |- |{{flagicon|ENG}} |align=left|Mark Bedworth |2005–10||Wharfedale||1,024||114||9.0 |- |7 |{{flagicon|ENG}} |align=left|Ben Harvey |1996–97 1999–00 2000–01 2001–05||Richmond Worcester Warriors Moseley Stourbridge||987||118||8.4 |- |8 |{{flagicon|ENG}} |align=left|Jonathon Gregory |1996–97 2000–04||Richmond Esher||970||84||11.5 |- |9 |{{flagicon|ENG}} |align=left|Jonathon Davies |1997–07||Wharfedale||946||198||4.8 |- |} (Bold denotes players still playing in National League 1)

===Top ten try scorers=== {{Updated| 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).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rugby.statbunker.com/alltimestats/AllTimeTryScorers?comp_code=8218482 |title=National One All time try scorers |publisher=Rugby Statbunker |date=27 April 2019 }}</ref>}}

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: center" |- !width=30|Rank !width=50|Nat !width=150|Name !width=150|Years !width=150|Club(s) !width=70|Tries !width=70|Apps !width=70|Ratio |- |1 |{{flagicon|ENG}} |align=left|David Allen |2004–17||Blackheath||147||277||0.5 |- |2 |{{flagicon|ENG}} |align=left|Oliver Brennand |2011–17||Fylde||117||161||0.7 |- |3 |{{flagicon|ENG}} |align=left|'''Hugo Ellis''' |2012–||Rosslyn Park||107||155||0.7 |- |4 |{{flagicon|ENG}} |align=left|Phil Chesters |2011–13, 2014–15||Ealing Trailfinders||105||82||1.3 |- |5 |{{flagicon|ENG}} |align=left|Jason Smithson |2007–17||Blaydon||96||224||0.4  |- |rowspan=2| 6 |{{flagicon|RSA}} |align=left|Chris Malherbe |1998–99 2001–02 2002–11||Camberley Kendal Wharfedale||95||222||0.4 |- |{{flagicon|ENG}} |align=left|Andrew Hodgson |1997–99, 2000–04, 2005–13, 2014–16||Wharfedale||95||264||0.4 |- |7 |{{flagicon|RSA}} |align=left|Christoff Lombaard |2006–07, 2008–10 2012–15, 16–17||Cambridge Old Albanian||81||151||0.5 |- |8 |{{flagicon|ENG}} |align=left|Nigel Baker |2009–12 2013–15, 2016 2015 2016–19||Stourbridge Cinderford Coventry Ampthill||79||149||0.5 |- |9 |{{flagicon|ENG}} |align=left|Spencer Sutherland |2011–12 2012–18 2018–19||Coventry Esher Ampthill||78||148||0.5 |- |} (Bold denotes players still playing in National League 1)

==Notes== {{notelist}}

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== * [http://www.ncarugby.org National Clubs Association for Leagues 1 and 2] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090210153035/http://ncarugby.org/ |date=10 February 2009 }}

{{DEFAULTSORT:National League 1}} Category:National League 1 Category:Professional sports leagues in the United Kingdom Category:Sports leagues established in 1987 Category:Third level rugby union leagues in Europe Category:1987 establishments in England