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1996–97 National Division 1

Rugby union competition in England

Rugby union competition in England

FieldValue
name1996–97 National Division 1
countriesEngland
championsWasps (2nd title)
runnersupBath
relegatedWest Hartlepool
Orrell
matches132
date31 August 1996 – 7 May 1997
prevseason1995–96
nextseason1997–98
websitewww.premiershiprugby.com

Orrell

The 1995–96 National Division 1 (sponsored by Courage Brewery) was the tenth season of the top tier of the English rugby union league system, the Courage Clubs Championship, currently known as Premiership Rugby, and was the first season that saw professional rugby openly introduced into the English game. It was also the tenth and final season of sponsorship by Courage. Bath were the defending champions and London Irish and Northampton Saints the promoted teams.

Wasps finished as champions for the second time, six points clear of defending champions Bath. Bottom two clubs West Hartlepool and Orrell were relegated to the 1997–98 Premiership 2 (formerly National Division 2) while Bristol and London Irish would remain in the division having won their respective playoff games.

Structure

Restructuring from the previous season increased the division from ten to twelve teams with each side playing one another twice, in a round robin system, home and away, to make a total of twenty-two matches for each team.

The reorganisation of the Courage Clubs Championship for the following season by the RFU meant there would be between two to four sides relegated into the new look Premiership 2. Sides finishing 11th and 12th would be automatically relegated while sides finishing 9th and 10th would be involved in a promotion/relegation playoff against the 3rd and 4th ranked sides from the 1996–97 National Division 2 with 9th v 4th and 10th v 3rd.

Participating teams

TeamStadiumCapacityCity/AreaPrevious season
BathRecreation Ground8,300 (1,000 seats)Bath, SomersetChampions
BristolMemorial Stadium8,500 (1,200 seats)Bristol, Avon6th
GloucesterKingsholm12,000Gloucester, Gloucestershire8th
HarlequinsThe Stoop9,000 (2,000 seats)Twickenham, London3rd
LeicesterWelford Road17,000Leicester, Leicestershire2nd
London IrishThe Avenue3,600 (600 seats)Sunbury-on-Thames, SurreyPromoted from National 2 (2nd)
Northampton SaintsFranklin's Gardens8,400Northampton, NorthamptonshirePromoted from National 2 (1st)
OrrellEdge Hall Road5,300 (300 seats)Orrell, Greater Manchester7th
SaleHeywood Road4,000 (500 seats)Sale, Greater Manchester5th
SaracensSouthbury Road8,200Enfield, London9th
WaspsLoftus Road18,439Shepherd's Bush, London4th
West HartlepoolBrierton Lane7,000Hartlepool, County Durham10th

Table

1997–98 Heineken Cup 1997–98 Heineken Cup 1997–98 Allied Dunbar Premiership Two

  1. two points for a win
  2. one point for a draw
  3. no points for a loss If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:
  4. difference between points for and against
  5. total number of points for

Results

The home team is listed in the left column.

Fixtures & Results

Round 1

Round 2

Round 3

Round 4

Round 5

Round 6

Round 7

  • Postponed. Game rescheduled to 23 February 1997.
  • Postponed. Game rescheduled to 16 November 1996.

Round 8

  • Postponed. Game rescheduled to 18 December 1996.
  • Postponed. Game rescheduled to 9 April 1997.
  • Postponed. Game rescheduled to 16 November 1996.

Rounds 7 & 8 (Rescheduled games)

  • Game rescheduled from 9 November 1996.
  • Game rescheduled from 31 October 1996.

Round 9

Round 8 (Rescheduled game)

  • Game rescheduled from 9 November 1996.

Round 10

  • Postponed. Game rescheduled to 18 February 1997.
  • Postponed. Game rescheduled to 2 April 1997.
  • Postponed. Game rescheduled to 4 March 1997.

Round 11

  • Postponed. Game rescheduled to 4 March 1997.
  • Postponed. Game rescheduled to 4 March 1997.
  • Postponed. Game rescheduled to 22 February 1997.

Round 12

  • Postponed. Game rescheduled to 15 April 1997.

Round 13

  • Postponed. Game rescheduled to 26 March 1997.

Round 14

  • Postponed. Game rescheduled to 22 February 1997.
  • Postponed. Game rescheduled to 16 April 1997.

Round 10 (rescheduled game)

  • Game rescheduled from 28 December 1996.

Rounds 7, 11 & 14 (rescheduled games)

  • Game rescheduled from 8 February 1997.
  • Game rescheduled from 4 March 1997.
  • Game rescheduled from 31 October 1996.

Rounds 10 & 11 (rescheduled games)

  • Game rescheduled from 4 January 1997.
  • Game rescheduled from 4 January 1997.
  • Game rescheduled from 28 December 1996.

Round 15

Round 16

  • Postponed. Game rescheduled to 8 April 1997.
  • Harlequins were originally due to play Northampton at home and West Hartlepool were due to play Bath away but the fixtures were switched, leaving Bath and Northampton without games on the 22 March. Harlequins would play Northampton on 30 April 1997 while Bath would play West Hartlepool on 27 March 1997.
  • Postponed. Game rescheduled to 30 April 1997.
  • Byes: Bath, Northampton Saints

Rounds 13 & 16 (rescheduled games)

  • Game rescheduled from 18 January 1997.
  • Game rescheduled from 22 March 1997 when West Hartlepool's game with Bath was swapped for an away game against Harlequins.

Round 17

  • Postponed. Game rescheduled to 30 April 1997.
  • Postponed. Game rescheduled to 15 April 1997.
  • Postponed. Game rescheduled to 2 April 1997.
  • Postponed. Game rescheduled to 23 April 1997.

Rounds 10 & 17 (rescheduled games)

  • Game rescheduled from 29 March 1997.
  • Game rescheduled from 28 December 1996.

Round 18

Rounds 8 & 16 (rescheduled games)

  • Game rescheduled from 22 March 1997.
  • Game rescheduled from 9 November 1996.

Round 19

  • Byes: Harlequins, West Hartlepool

Rounds 12, 14 & 17 (rescheduled games)

  • Game rescheduled from 29 March 1997.
  • Game rescheduled from 11 January 1997.
  • Game rescheduled from 22 February 1997.

Round 20

  • Orrell were relegated.

Round 17 (rescheduled game)

  • Game rescheduled from 29 March 1997.

Round 21

  • Wasps are champions.
  • West Hartlepool are relegated.

Rounds 16 & 17 (rescheduled games)

  • Game rescheduled from 29 March 1997.
  • Game rescheduled from 22 March 1997 when Harlequins game with Northampton was swapped to Harlequins versus West Hartlepool.
  • Game rescheduled from 22 March 1997.

Round 22

Relegation/Promotion playoffs

For the first time play-offs took place between the third and fourth placed teams in Division Two and the ninth and tenth placed teams in Division One. The play-offs followed a 4th v 9th, 3rd v 10th system. The matches were played over two legs, with the second-tier team playing at home in the first leg.

First leg

Second leg

Bristol won 39–23 on aggregate.

London Irish won 42–23 on aggregate.

Note

References

References

  1. (1997). "Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1997–98". Headline Book Publishing.
  2. (26 April 1997). "Rugby: Team Dallaglio take the title". The Independent.
  3. "League Tables". London Irish.
  4. (26 April 1997). "Rugby union: Newcastle up in style". The Independent.
  5. (1990). "Courage Official Rugby Union Club Directory 1990–91". Burlington Publishing Co. Ltd.
  6. (1990). "Courage Official Rugby Union Club Directory 1990–91". Burlington Publishing Co. Ltd.
  7. (1990). "Courage Official Rugby Union Club Directory 1990–91". Burlington Publishing Co. Ltd.
  8. (1990). "Courage Official Rugby Union Club Directory 1990–91". Burlington Publishing Co. Ltd.
  9. (1990). "Courage Official Rugby Union Club Directory 1990–91". Burlington Publishing Co. Ltd.
  10. (1990). "Courage Official Rugby Union Club Directory 1990–91". Burlington Publishing Co. Ltd.
  11. (1990). "Courage Official Rugby Union Club Directory 1990–91". Burlington Publishing Co. Ltd.
  12. "West Hartlepool". Rugby Journal.
  13. (31 August 1996). "Quins show fierce bite". The Independent.
  14. (31 August 1996). "Orrell drowned in rusty Bath". The Independent.
  15. (31 August 1996). "Tigers awake too late". The Independent.
  16. "Fixtures / Results (August 31, 1996 to May 11, 1996)". Rugby Archives.
  17. "Gloucester v Pontypridd Friday 23 August 1996 Kingsholm". Gloucester F.C. RFU.
  18. (7 September 1996). "Tigers' sting in the tail". The Independent.
  19. (7 September 1996). "Humphreys in command". The Independent.
  20. (13 September 1996). "Rugby Union: Wasps well pleased with their slick new abode". The Independent.
  21. (14 September 1996). "Rugby Union: Wasps ruin Rec record". The Independent.
  22. (14 September 1996). "Rugby Union: Connolly takes bow". The Independent.
  23. (14 September 1996). "Rugby Union: Saints and winners". The Independent.
  24. (14 September 1996). "Rugby Union: Botica fails to settle Orrell". The Independent.
  25. (21 September 1996). "Wood clears Quins' way". The Independent.
  26. (21 September 1996). "Bath flatter to deceive". The Independent.
  27. (28 September 1996). "Orrell outgunned". The Independent.
  28. (6 October 1996). "Rugby Union: Quins bask in superiority". The Independent.
  29. (6 October 1996). "Rugby Union: Guscott's brilliance shines through political muddle". The Independent.
  30. (5 October 1996). "Rugby Union: Grayson's boot steers Saints to safety". The Independent.
  31. (6 October 1996). "Rugby Union: Gallant West expose Leicester's back problems". The Independent.
  32. (6 October 1996). "Rugby Union: Gloucester back to fiery best". The Independent.
  33. (30 October 1996). "Robinson inspires record rout". The Independent.
  34. (30 October 1996). "Ebongalame flies in for Sarries". The Independent.
  35. (11 November 1996). "RUGBY UNION: Saints waiting patiently for Elvis". The Independent.
  36. (11 November 1996). "RUGBY UNION: Mapletoft is guiding light". The Independent.
  37. (17 November 1996). "Rugby Union: Wasps survive the Irish bluster". The Independent.
  38. (9 December 1996). "Rugby Union: Guscott resurrects spirit of Bath". The Independent.
  39. (9 December 1996). "Rugby Union: Wasps leave it to King". The Independent.
  40. (9 December 1996). "Rugby Union: Stransky given taste of Tigers' rugged qualities". The Independent.
  41. (19 December 1996). "Liley lads take the Tigers to the top". The Independent.
  42. (30 December 1996). "Rugby Union: Tigers thrive on teamwork". The Independent.
  43. (29 December 1996). "Wasps rely on Rees". The Independent.
  44. (6 January 1997). "Rugby Union: Pienaar unable to spring Saracens". The Independent.
  45. (6 January 1997). "Rugby Union: It is finally becoming tough to go West". The Independent.
  46. (6 January 1997). "Rugby Union: Pearly Queens outrank Kings of London". The Independent.
  47. (12 January 1997). "Lacroix targets timid Bath". The Independent.
  48. (12 January 1997). "Wasps wing it". The Independent.
  49. (13 January 1997). "Grayson's deftness tames the Tigers". The Independent.
  50. (19 January 1997). "Stransky roars again". The Independent.
  51. (20 January 1997). "Rugby Union: Lyle's classy effort brings Saints to their knees". The Independent.
  52. (20 January 1997). "Rugby Union: Lynagh frees Saracens' spirit and flair". The Independent.
  53. (9 February 1997). "Rugby Union: Steel of Sale". The Independent.
  54. (9 February 1997). "Rugby Union: Saints' Euro vision". The Independent.
  55. (19 February 1997). "Six from Burke halts Bristol's losing run of seven". The Independent.
  56. (23 February 1997). "Rugby Union: Guscott proves prince of tries". The Independent.
  57. (5 March 1997). "Rugby Union: Stransky subdues Sale". The Independent.
  58. (9 March 1997). "Bath batter brave Irish: Rugby Union". The Independent.
  59. (9 March 1997). "Tigers a class apart: Rugby Union". The Independent.
  60. (9 March 1997). "Chapman cheers Quins: Rugby Union". The Independent.
  61. (9 March 1997). "Mannix makes telling break: Rugby". The Independent.
  62. (10 March 1997). "Weakened Saracens too strong for Bristol: Rugby". The Independent.
  63. (27 March 1997). "Rugby Union: Wasps fight for points". The Independent.
  64. (28 March 1997). "Rugby: Bath break West spirit". The Independent.
  65. (2 April 1997). "Stransky's boot sees off Wasps: Rugby Union". The Independent.
  66. (2 April 1997). "Sale steal a march on Bath: Rugby Union". The Independent.
  67. (5 April 1997). "Mapletoft drops in late". The Independent.
  68. (5 April 1997). "Tigers tease Orrell". The Independent.
  69. (6 April 1997). "Rugby Union: Bath on way back". The Independent.
  70. (8 April 1997). "Rugby Union: Theatrical feast ended by Greening's late try". The Independent.
  71. (9 April 1997). "Rugby Union: Quins accept Saracens' charity". The Independent.
  72. (12 April 1997). "Tigers on their knees". The Independent.
  73. (13 April 1997). "Rugby Union: Mannix inspires Sale's would-be tourists". The Independent.
  74. (12 April 1997). "Wasps fly free of the pack". The Independent.
  75. (19 April 1997). "Rugby Union: Peters preserves the hope". The Independent.
  76. (19 April 1997). "Rugby Union: Lacroix puts Europe on the agenda". The Independent.
  77. (19 April 1997). "Rugby Union: Tigers revert to type". The Independent.
  78. (20 April 1997). "Rugby Union: Wasps' thoroughly modern winning ways". The Independent.
  79. (26 April 1997). "Rugby union: Bath power to record". The Independent.
  80. (26 April 1997). "Rugby union: Lacroix's class edges Quins home". The Independent.
  81. (3 May 1997). "Rugby union: Lacroix's class edges Quins home". The Independent.
  82. (3 May 1997). "Rugby Union: Tigers savage the Euro sceptics". The Independent.
  83. (3 May 1997). "Rugby Union: Hill the driving force". The Independent.
  84. (7 May 1997). "Bedford make life difficult for Bristol". The Independent.
  85. (7 May 1997). "Rugby Union: Harris keeps the Irish stewing". The Independent.
  86. (11 May 1997). "Rugby Union: Burke's boot calms Bristol". The Independent.
  87. (11 May 1997). "Rugby Union: Exiles preserve their status". The Independent.
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