The 1997–98 National League 1, sponsored by Jewson, was the eleventh full season of rugby union within the third tier of the English league system, currently known as National League 1. For the first ten seasons Courage Brewery sponsored the league. Following reorganisation the top two divisions are sponsored by the assurance company Allied Dunbar and the rest of the divisions, including National League 1 is sponsored by the building suppliers, Jewson.
Worcester finished as champions. Due to league restructuring by the RFU, runners up Leeds, 3rd place London Welsh and fourth place Rugby Lions were also promoted to the 1998–99 Premiership 2, and there was no relegation.
Structure The league consisted of fourteen teams, playing each other on a home and away basis to make a total of twenty-six matches for each team. There were four promotion places with the top four teams promoted to the Premiership Two. There was no relegation, this season, to either National Division 4 North or South due to an increase, from twelve teams to fourteen, in the top two divisions.
Participating teams and locations
TeamGroundCapacityCity/AreaPrevious seasonHarrogate Claro Road 4,500 (500 seats) Harrogate, North Yorkshire 5thLeedsHeadingley Stadium 22,250 Headingley, Leeds, West Yorkshire 3rdLiverpool St Helens Moss Lane 4,370 (370 seats) St Helens, Merseyside 12thLondon Welsh Old Deer Park 4,500 (1,500 seats) Richmond, London 11thLydney Regentsholm 3,000 (340 seats)Lydney, Gloucestershire 10thMorley Scatcherd Lane 6,000 (1,000 seats) Morley, Leeds, West Yorkshire 4thNewbury Monks Lane 8,000 Newbury, Berkshire Promoted from National 4 South (champions)Nottingham Ireland Avenue 4,990 (590 seats) Nottingham, Nottinghamshire Relegated from National 2 (12th)Otley Cross Green 7,000 (852 seats) Otley, Leeds, West Yorkshire 9thReading Holme Park Sonning, Berkshire 6thRosslyn ParkThe Rock 4,630 (630 seats) Roehampton, London 8thRugby Lions Webb Ellis Road 3,200 (200 seats) Rugby Warwickshire Relegated from National 2 (11th)Wharfedale The Avenue 2,000 Threshfield, North Yorkshire 7thWorcester Sixways 8,477 Worcester, Worcestershire Promoted from National 4 North (champions)
League table
See also 1997–98 Premiership 1 1997–98 Premiership 2 1997–98 National League 2 North 1997–98 National League 2 South
References