1995–96 Courage League National Division Two

1995–96 Courage League National Division Two
Countries England
ChampionsNorthampton (2nd title)
Runners-upLondon Irish
RelegatedNone
Matches played90
Top point scorer301   Michael Corcoran,
(London Irish)
Top try scorer20   Matt Allen,
(Northampton)[1]

The 1995–96 Courage League National Division Two was the ninth full season of rugby union within the second tier of the English league system, currently known as the RFU Championship. Joining the seven teams who participated in 1994–95 were Northampton relegated from Courage League Division One, and Bedford Blues and Blackheath who were both promoted from the third tier.

Northampton, the champions, were promoted to the Courage League National Division One for season 1996–97 along with London Irish who were the runners–up. It was the second time Northampton had won the Division Two title and it was also the second time a team had won all of their matches in a season. Bedford Blues finished last but were not relegated to Courage League National Division Three due to the expansion of Division Two in 1996–97 to twelve teams.[2]

Participating teams

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Locations of the 1995–96 Courage League National Division Two teams
Team Stadium Capacity City/Area
Bedford Goldington Road 7,000 Bedford, Bedfordshire
Blackheath Rectory Field 6,000 Greenwich, London
London Irish The Avenue 6,600 Sunbury-on-Thames, Surrey
London Scottish Athletic Ground, Richmond 4,500 Richmond, London
Moseley The Reddings 10,000 Birmingham, West Midlands
Newcastle Gosforth Kingston Park 10,000 Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear
Northampton Saints Franklin's Gardens 10,000 Northampton, Northamptonshire
Nottingham Ireland Avenue 4,950 Beeston, Nottinghamshire
Wakefield College Grove 3,000 Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Waterloo St Anthony's Road 9,000 Blundellsands, Merseyside

Table

1995–96 Courage League National Division Two table
Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD Pts Qualification
1 Northampton 18 18 0 0 867 203 +664 36 Promoted
2 London Irish 18 15 0 3 584 405 +179 30
3 London Scottish 18 10 2 6 361 389 −28 22
4 Wakefield 18 8 0 10 328 331 −3 16
5 Waterloo 18 7 2 9 309 483 −174 16
6 Moseley 18 7 0 11 327 447 −120 14
7 Blackheath 18 6 1 11 341 469 −128 13
8 Newcastle Gosforth 18 5 1 12 348 405 −57 11
9 Nottingham 18 5 1 12 333 433 −100 11
10 Bedford Blues 18 5 1 12 287 520 −233 11
Source: [3]
Rules for classification: Points are awarded as follows:
  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:

  1. difference between points for and against
  2. total number of points for
There was no relegation this season.

Sponsorship

National Division Two is part of the Courage Clubs Championship and is sponsored by Courage Brewery

See also

References

  1. ^ Stephen McCormack, ed. (2000). The Official RFU Club Directory 2000–2001. Harpenden: Queen Anne Press.
  2. ^ Mick Cleary and John Griffiths, ed. (1996). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1996–97. London: Headline Book Publishing. ISBN 978-0-7472-7771-2.
  3. ^ "Courage Clubs Championship 1995/96". Moseley Rugby Club. Retrieved 23 September 2012.