National League 1
| National League 1 | |
|---|---|
Current season or competition:: 2016–17 National League 1
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| Sport | Rugby union |
| Instituted | 1987 |
| Number of teams | 16 |
| Country |
 England
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| Holders | Hartpury College (2016–17) |
| Most titles | Otley (3 titles) |
| Website | 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. 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.
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.
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