1995–96 Courage League National Division Three


The 1995–96 Courage League National Division Three was the ninth full season of rugby union within the third tier of the English league system, currently known as National League 1. Following relegation last season, Coventry won the division by three points to finish as champions and are promoted back to National Division Two. Richmond, as runner-up, was also promoted and owing to an increase in the number of teams in the above divisions, next season, Rugby and Rotherham were also promoted. There was no relegation because National Division Three will consist of sixteen teams next season.

Structure

The league consists of ten teams, playing each other on a home and away basis to make a total of eighteen matches for each team. There are usually two promotion places and two relegation places, with the champions and runner-up promoted to National League 2 and the last two teams relegated to National Division 4. Owing to a reorganisation of the league system four teams are promoted and none relegated this season.

Participating teams and locations

Six of the clubs participated in last seasons competition.
TeamGroundCapacityCity/AreaPrevious season
CoventryCoundon Road9,000Coventry, West MidlandsRelegated from Courage League Division 2
FyldeWoodlands9,000Lytham St Annes, LancashireRelegated from Courage League Division 2
HarrogateClaro RoadHarrogate, North Yorkshire7th
MorleyScatcherd LaneMorley, Leeds, West Yorkshire5th
OtleyCross Green5,000Otley, West Yorkshire6th
ReadingHolme ParkReading, BerkshirePromoted from Division 4
RichmondAthletic Ground4,500Richmond, London8th
Rosslyn ParkThe Rock2,000Roehampton, London4th
RotherhamClifton Lane2,500Rotherham, South YorkshirePromoted from Division 4
RugbyWebb Ellis Road1,000Rugby, Warwickshire3rd

League table

Sponsorship

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