2022–23 National League 1 is the 35th season of the
third tier of the
English domestic rugby union competitions, and following a reorganisation of the league structure, it is reverting to a 14-team format.
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. There is one promotion place, with the champions promoted to the
RFU Championship
The RFU Championship is an English rugby union competition comprising twelve clubs. It is the second level of men's English rugby and is played by both professional and semi-professional players. The competition has existed since 1987, when Eng ...
, and there are three relegation places to either,
National League 2 East
National League 2 East is a rugby union league at level four in the English rugby union system and provides semi-professional competition for teams in London, South East England and the East of England. The remainder of England is covered by t ...
,
National League 2 North
National League 2 North is one of three level four leagues in the English rugby union system and provides semi-professional competition for teams in Northern England. The remainder of England is covered by the two counterpart leagues National L ...
or
National League 2 West, depending on the geographical location of the team.
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.
Participating teams and locations
The reigning champions entering the season are
Caldy
Caldy (historically spelt Calday) is a small, affluent village on the Wirral Peninsula, Merseyside, England, south-east of West Kirby. It is part of the West Kirby & Thurstaston Ward (country subdivision), Ward of the Metropolitan Borough of Wi ...
who were crowned champions on 23 April 2022, following their final match of the season at home to runner-up
Sale; beating them 13–9 in front of a club record attendance of 3,023. They were promoted to the
RFU Championship
The RFU Championship is an English rugby union competition comprising twelve clubs. It is the second level of men's English rugby and is played by both professional and semi-professional players. The competition has existed since 1987, when Eng ...
.
Blackheath (14th position) and
Tonbridge Juddians (15th) were relegated to
National League 2 East
National League 2 East is a rugby union league at level four in the English rugby union system and provides semi-professional competition for teams in London, South East England and the East of England. The remainder of England is covered by t ...
.
League table
Fixtures & results
Fixtures for the season were announced by the RFU on 13 June 2022.
Round 1
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Round 2
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Round 3
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Round 4
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Round 5
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Round 6
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Round 7
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Round 8
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Round 9
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Round 10
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Round 11
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Round 12
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Round 13
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Round 14
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Round 15
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Round 16
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Round 17
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Round 18
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Rescheduled matches
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Rescheduled matches (Round 14)
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Round 19
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Round 20
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Round 21
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Round 22
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Rescheduled matches
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Round 23
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Round 24
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Round 25
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Round 26
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Rescheduled matches
Attendances
Individual statistics
Top points scorers
[
]
Top try scorers
[
]
Notes
See also
* 2022–23 National League 2 North
* 2022–23 National League 2 East
* 2022–23 National League 2 West
References
External links
NCA Rugby
{{DEFAULTSORT:2022-23 National League 1
3
National League 1 seasons