1995–96 Courage League National Division One

1995–96 Courage League
Countries England
Date9 September 1995 – 5 May 1995
ChampionsBath (6th title)
Runners-upLeicester Tigers
Matches played90
Official website
www.premiershiprugby.com

The 1995–96 Courage League National Division One was the ninth season of the first tier of the English league system, currently known as the Gallagher Premiership. Leicester Tigers were the defending champions and Saracens the promoted team. Each team played each other twice, in a round robin system.

Bath finished as champions for the sixth time, beating holders Leicester Tigers by just one point. Despite a disastrous season with 18 defeats in as many matches, West Hartlepool kept its place in the first division due to the expansion of the league from 10 teams to 12 the following season.[1]

Participating teams

Locations of the 1995–96 Courage League National Division One teams
Team Stadium Capacity City/Area Previous season
Bath Recreation Ground 8,200 Bath, Somerset 2nd
Bristol Memorial Stadium 12,100 Bristol, Avon 6th
Gloucester Kingsholm 12,000 Gloucester, Gloucestershire 7th
Harlequins The Stoop 8,500 Twickenham, London 8th
Leicester Tigers Welford Road 16,000 Leicester, Leicestershire Champions
Orrell Edge Hall Road[a] 5,500 Orrell, Greater Manchester 5th
Sale Heywood Road 5,400 Sale, Greater Manchester 4th
Saracens Bramley Road 2,000[2] Enfield, London Promoted from Courage Division 2 (1st)
Wasps Repton Avenue 3,000 Sudbury, London 3rd
West Hartlepool Brierton Lane 7,000[3] Hartlepool, County Durham 9th

Table

Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD Pts Qualification
1 Bath (C) 18 15 1 2 575 276 +299 31 Champion
1996–97 Heineken Cup
2 Leicester Tigers 18 15 0 3 476 242 +234 30 Qualified for the
1996–97 Heineken Cup
3 Harlequins 18 13 0 5 524 314 +210 26
4 Wasps 18 11 0 7 439 322 +117 22
5 Sale 18 9 1 8 365 371 −6 19
6 Bristol 18 8 0 10 329 421 −92 16
7 Orrell 18 7 0 11 323 477 −154 14
8 Gloucester 18 6 0 12 275 370 −95 12
9 Saracens 18 5 0 13 284 451 −167 10
10 West Hartlepool 18 0 0 18 288 634 −346 0
Source:
(C) Champions

Results

The Home Team is listed in the left column.

Home \ Away BAT BRI GLO HAR LEI ORR SAL SAR WAS WHA
Bath Rugby 52–19 37–11 41–15 14–15 55–20 38–38 52–16 36–12 34–22
Bristol 5–43 22–16 25–31 29–43 33–14 30–6 21–7 9–17 12–3
Gloucester RFC 16–10 18–14 13–24 14–27 27–0 17–22 17–10 15–26 17–16
Harlequins 13–19 28–3 33–19 25–29 21–25 55–0 23–15 29–20 34–18
Leicester Tigers 9–14 43–6 28–6 19–21 22–3 32–10 31–3 15–12 48–15
Orrell 11–44 26–29 21–3 9–23 10–38 12–6 38–13 32–29 20–10
Sale 18–30 15–6 21–13 29–11 12–16 39–13 18–15 18–25 44–13
Saracens 15–21 11–24 19–16 6–13 25–21 12–9 9–24 20–24 31–30
Wasps 6–15 33–5 21–10 3–34 11–21 51–16 25–16 38–16 52–12
West Hartlepool 15–20 15–37 19–27 21–91 12–19 22–44 11–29 31–41 3–34
Source:
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Fixtures & Results

Round 1

9 September 1995
Gloucester17 – 22Sale
Kingsholm
9 September 1995
Leicester Tigers31 – 3Saracens
Welford Road
9 September 1995
Orrell9 – 23Harlequins
Edge Hall Road
9 September 1995
Wasps33 – 5Bristol
Repton Avenue
9 September 1995
West Hartlepool15 – 20Bath
Brierton Lane
Referee: Brian Campsall[4]

[5]

Round 2

16 September 1995
Bath37 – 11Gloucester
Recreation Ground
Referee: Stuart Piercy[4]
16 September 1995
Bristol12 – 3West Hartlepool
Memorial Stadium
16 September 1995
Harlequins29 – 20Wasps
The Stoop
16 September 1995
Sale12 – 16Leicester Tigers
Heywood Road
16 September 1995
Saracens12 – 9Orrell
Bramley Road

[5]

Round 3

23 September 1995
Bristol25 – 31Harlequins
Memorial Stadium
23 September 1995
Leicester Tigers9 – 14Bath
Welford Road
Attendance: 16,000[4]
Referee: Tony Rowlands[4]
23 September 1995
Orrell12 – 6Sale
Edge Hall Road
23 September 1995
Wasps38 – 16Saracens
Repton Avenue
23 September 1995
West Hartlepool19 – 27Gloucester
Brierton Lane

[5]

Round 4

30 September 1995
Bath55 – 20Orrell
Recreation Ground
Referee: Ashley Rowden[4]
30 September 1995
Gloucester14 – 27Leicester Tigers
Kingsholm
30 September 1995
Harlequins34 – 18West Hartlepool
The Stoop
30 September 1995
Sale18 – 25Wasps
Heywood Road
30 September 1995
Saracens11 – 24Bristol
Bramley Road

[5]

Round 5

7 October 1995
Bristol30 – 6Sale
Memorial Stadium
7 October 1995
Harlequins23 – 15Saracens
The Stoop
7 October 1995
Orrell21 – 3Gloucester
Edge Hall Road
7 October 1995
Wasps6 – 15Bath
Repton Avenue
Referee: Ed Morrison[4]
7 October 1995
West Hartlepool12 – 19Leicester Tigers
Brierton Lane

[5]

Round 6

14 October 1995
Bath52 – 19Bristol
Memorial Stadium
Referee: Brian Campsall[4]
14 October 1995
Gloucester15 – 26Wasps
Kingsholm
14 October 1995
Leicester Tigers22 – 3Orrell
Welford Road
14 October 1995
Sale23 – 9Harlequins
Heywood Road
14 October 1995
Saracens31 – 30West Hartlepool
Bramley Road

[5]

Round 7

21 October 1995
Bristol22 – 16Gloucester
Memorial Stadium
21 October 1995
Harlequins13 – 19Bath
The Stoop
Referee: Chris Wright[4]
21 October 1995
Orrell20 – 10West Hartlepool
Edge Hall Road
21 October 1995
Saracens9 – 24Sale
Bramley Road
21 October 1995
Wasps11 – 21Leicester Tigers
Repton Avenue

[5]

Round 8

28 October 1995
Bath52 – 16Saracens
Recreation Ground
Referee: Steve Lander[4]
28 October 1995
Gloucester13 – 24Harlequins
Kingsholm
28 October 1995
Leicester Tigers43 – 6Bristol
Welford Road
28 October 1995
Orrell32 – 29Wasps
Edge Hall Road
28 October 1995
West Hartlepool11 – 29Sale
Brierton Lane

[5]

Round 9

4 November 1995
Bristol33 – 14Orrell
Memorial Stadium
4 November 1995
Harlequins25 – 29Leicester Tigers
The Stoop
4 November 1995
Sale18 – 30Bath
Heywood Road
Referee: Chris Rees[4]
4 November 1995
Saracens19 – 16Gloucester
Bramley Road
4 November 1995
WaspsP – PWest Hartlepool
Repton Avenue
  • Postponed due to spectator falling ill.[6] Game rescheduled to 20 April 1996.

[5]

Round 10

11 November 1995
Bath34 – 22West Hartlepool
Recreation Ground
Referee: Ashley Rowden[4]
11 November 1995
Bristol9 – 17Wasps
Memorial Stadium
11 November 1995
Harlequins21 – 25Orrell
The Stoop
11 November 1995
Sale21 – 13Gloucester
Heywood Road
11 November 1995
Saracens25 – 21Leicester Tigers
Bramley Road

[5]

Round 11

30 December 1995
GloucesterP – PBath
Kingholsm
  • Postponed. Game rescheduled to 10 April 1996.
30 December 1995
Leicester TigersP – PSale
Welford Road
  • Postponed. Game rescheduled to 17 April 1996.
30 December 1995
OrrellP – PSaracens
Edge Hall Road
  • Postponed. Game rescheduled to 13 January 1996.
30 December 1995
WaspsP – PHarlequins
Repton Avenue
  • Postponed. Game rescheduled to 9 March 1996.
30 December 1995
West HartlepoolP – PBristol
Brierton Lane
  • Postponed. Game rescheduled to 5 May 1996.

[5]

Round 12

6 January 1996
Bath14 – 15Leicester Tigers
Recreation Ground
Referee: Brian Campsall[4]
6 January 1996
Gloucester17 – 16West Hartlepool
Kingsholm
6 January 1996
Harlequins28 – 3Bristol
The Stoop
6 January 1996
Sale39 – 13Orrell
Heywood Road
6 January 1996
Saracens20 – 24Wasps
Bramley Road

[5]

Round 11 (rescheduled game)

13 January 1996
Orrell38 – 13Saracens
Edge Hall Road
  • Game rescheduled from 30 December 1995.

[5]

Round 13

10 February 1996
BristolP – PSaracens
Memorial Stadium
  • Postponed. Game rescheduled to 20 April 1996.
10 February 1996
Leicester TigersP – PGloucester
Welford Road
  • Postponed. Game rescheduled to 24 April 1996.
10 February 1996
OrrellP – PBath
Edge Hall Road
  • Postponed. Game rescheduled to 20 April 1996.
10 February 1996
WaspsP – PSale
Repton Avenue
  • Postponed. Game rescheduled to 23 March 1996.
10 February 1996
West HartlepoolP – PHarlequins
Brierton Lane
  • Postponed. Game rescheduled to 23 March 1996.

[5]

Round 14

17 February 1996
Bath36 – 12Wasps
Recreation Ground
Referee: Brian Campsall[4]
17 February 1996
Gloucester27 – 0Orrell
Kingsholm
17 February 1996
Leicester Tigers48 – 15West Hartlepool
Welford Road
17 February 1996
Sale15 – 6Bristol
Heywood Road
17 February 1996
Saracens6 – 13Harlequins
Bramley Road

[5]

Round 11 (rescheduled game)

9 March 1996
Wasps3 – 34Harlequins
Repton Avenue
  • Game rescheduled from 30 December 1995.

[5]

Round 13 (rescheduled games)

23 March 1996
Wasps25 – 16Sale
Repton Avenue
  • Game rescheduled from 10 February 1996.
23 March 1996
West Hartlepool21 – 91Harlequins
Brierton Lane
  • Game rescheduled from 10 February 1996.

[5]

Round 15

30 March 1996
Bristol5 – 43Bath
Memorial Stadium
Referee: Steve Lander[4]
30 March 1996
Harlequins55 – 0Sale
The Stoop
30 March 1996
Orrell10 – 38Leicester Tigers
Edge Hall Road
30 March 1996
Wasps21 – 10Gloucester
Repton Avenue
30 March 1996
West Hartlepool3 – 14Saracens
Brierton Lane

[5]

Round 16

6 April 1996
Bath41 – 15Harlequins
Recreation Ground
Referee: John Pearson[4]
6 April 1996
Gloucester18 – 14Bristol
Kingsholm
6 April 1996
Leicester Tigers15 – 12Wasps
Welford Road
6 April 1996
Sale18 – 15Saracens
Heywood Road
6 April 1996
West Hartlepool22 – 44Orrell
Brierton Lane

[5]

Round 11 (rescheduled game)

10 April 1996
Gloucester16 – 10Bath
Kingholsm
Attendance: 10,000[4]
Referee: Nick Cousins
  • Game rescheduled from 30 December 1995.

[5]

Round 17

13 April 1996
Bristol29 – 43Leicester Tigers
Memorial Stadium
13 April 1996
Harlequins33 – 19Gloucester
The Stoop
13 April 1996
Sale44 – 13West Hartlepool
Heywood Road
13 April 1996
Saracens15 – 21Bath
Bramley Road
Referee: Stuart Piercy[4]
13 April 1996
Wasps51 – 16Orrell
Repton Avenue

[5]

Round 11 (rescheduled game)

17 April 1996
Leicester Tigers32 – 10Sale
Welford Road
  • Game rescheduled from 30 December 1995.

[5]

Rounds 9 & 13 (rescheduled games)

20 April 1996
Bristol21 – 7Saracens
Memorial Stadium
Referee: Chris White
  • Game rescheduled from 10 February 1996.
20 April 1996
Orrell11 – 44Bath
Central Park, Wigan
Attendance: 2,600[4]
Referee: Chris White[4]
  • Game rescheduled from 10 February 1996.
20 April 1996
Wasps52 – 12West Hartlepool
  • Game rescheduled from 4 November 1995.

[5]

Round 13 (rescheduled game)

24 April 1996
Leicester Tigers28 – 6Gloucester
Welford Road
  • Game rescheduled from 10 February 1996.

[5]

Round 18

27 April 1996
Bath38 – 38Sale
Recreation Ground
Referee: Brian Campsall[4]
  • Bath are champions.
27 April 1996
Gloucester17 – 10Saracens
Kingsholm
27 April 1996
Leicester Tigers19 – 21Harlequins
Welford Road
27 April 1996
Orrell26 – 29Bristol
Edge Hall Road
27 April 1996
West Hartlepool3 – 34Wasps
Brierton Lane

[5]

Round 11 (rescheduled game)

5 May 1996
West Hartlepool15 – 37Bristol
Brierton Lane
  • Game rescheduled from 30 December 1995.

[5]

Note

  1. ^ Orrell would also play one home game at the 18,000 capacity Central Park in Wigan.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Courage National Leagues - Final Tables – 1995/96". www.moseleyrugby.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2009-02-02. Retrieved 11 February 2009.
  2. ^ "Saracens aim for bigger Wembley crowds following Premiership defeat of Worcester". The Telegraph. 15 February 2010.
  3. ^ "West Hartlepool". Rugby Archives. Retrieved 8 January 2025.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t Peter Hall and Colin Gale. "1995 to 1996". Bath Rugby Heritage. Retrieved 8 January 2025.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z "Fixtures / Results (September 9, 1995 to May 5, 1996)". Rugby Archives. Retrieved 8 January 2025.
  6. ^ "Unlikely thirteenth". Independent. 31 December 1995.
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