1996–97 National Division 1

Rugby union competition in England 1996–97 National Division 1 England Wasps (2nd title) Bath West HartlepoolOrrell 132 31 August 1996 – 7 May 1997 1995–96 1997–98 www.premiershiprugby.com The 1995–96 National Division 1 (sponsored by Courage Brewery) was the tenth season of the top tier of the English rugby union league system, the Courage Clubs Championship, currently known as Premiership Rugby, and was the first season that saw professional rugby openly introduced into the English game. It was also the tenth and final season of sponsorship by Courage.Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1997–98 1997 Headline Book Publishing London 0-7472-7732-X Mick Cleary and John Griffiths Bath were the defending champions and London Irish and Northampton Saints the promoted teams. Wasps finished as champions for the second time, six points clear of defending champions Bath.https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby-team-dallaglio-take-the-title-1269495.html Rugby: Team Dallaglio take the title The Independent 26 April 1997 Bottom two clubs West Hartlepool and Orrell were relegated to the 1997–98 Premiership 2 (formerly National Division 2) while Bristol and London Irish would remain in the division having won their respective playoff games.http://www.london-irish.com/leaguetableSS.ink?team=p&season=96/97&storytype= League Tables London Irish 2011-10-18 https://archive.today/20120906130214/http://www.london-irish.com/leaguetableSS.ink?team=p&season=96/97&storytype= 2012-09-06 dead https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby-union-newcastle-up-in-style-1269471.html Rugby union: Newcastle up in style The Independent 26 April 1997 yes Structure Restructuring from the previous season increased the division from ten to twelve teams with each side playing one another twice, in a round robin system, home and away, to make a total of twenty-two matches for each team. The reorganisation of the Courage Clubs Championship for the following season by the RFU meant there would be between two to four sides relegated into the new look Premiership 2. Sides finishing 11th and 12th would be automatically relegated while sides finishing 9th and 10th would be involved in a promotion/relegation playoff against the 3rd and 4th ranked sides from the 1996–97 National Division 2 with 9th v 4th and 10th v 3rd. Participating teams England 400 right Locations of the 1996–97 Courage League National Division One teams England 51.375801 -2.3599030 white Bath bottom 80 England 51.45 -2.583333 white Bristol left 80 England 51.864244 -2.238156 white Gloucester left 80 England 52.636877 -1.139759 white Leicester left 80 England 51.403928 -0.412931 white L Irish bottom 80 England 52.240477 -0.902655 white Northampton right 80 England 53.540986 -2.708842 white Orrell top 80 England 53.425560 -2.323702 white Sale right 80 England 54.691745 -1.212926 white West Hartlepool left 80 England 51.50737 -0.12766 white London right 80 Cyan pog.svg Greater London 1996-97 Greater London Courage League National Division One teams Greater London Courage League Division 1 teams right 400 Greater London 51.444581 -0.335245 white Harlequins left 80 Greater London 51.654464 -0.081814 white Saracens right 80 Greater London 51.560859 -0.328098 white Wasps left 80 TeamStadiumCapacityCity/AreaPrevious seasonBathRecreation Ground8,300 (1,000 seats)Courage Official Rugby Union Club Directory 1990–91 1990 Burlington Publishing Co. Ltd Windsor 3rd Tony Williams and Bill Mitchell 40 Bath F.C. (Ground Details)Bath, SomersetChampionsBristolMemorial Stadium8,500 (1,200 seats)Courage Official Rugby Union Club Directory 1990–91 1990 Burlington Publishing Co. Ltd Windsor 3rd Tony Williams and Bill Mitchell 43 Bristol F.C. (Ground Details)Bristol6thGloucesterKingsholm12,000Gloucester, Gloucestershire8thHarlequinsThe Stoop9,000 (2,000 seats)Courage Official Rugby Union Club Directory 1990–91 1990 Burlington Publishing Co. Ltd Windsor 3rd Tony Williams and Bill Mitchell 50 Harlequins F.C. (Ground Details)Twickenham, London3rdLeicesterWelford Road17,000Welford Road capacity up from 16,000 to 17,000 for the 1996–97 season.Leicester, Leicestershire2ndLondon IrishThe Avenue3,600 (600 seats)Courage Official Rugby Union Club Directory 1990–91 1990 Burlington Publishing Co. Ltd Windsor 3rd Tony Williams and Bill Mitchell 98 London Irish R.F.C. (Ground Details)Sunbury-on-Thames, SurreyPromoted from National 2 (2nd)Northampton SaintsFranklin's Gardens8,400Franklin's Gardens capacity up from 6,000 to 8,400 for the 1996–97 with a capacity crowd achieved versus Leicester on 11th January 1997.Courage Official Rugby Union Club Directory 1990–91 1990 Burlington Publishing Co. Ltd Windsor 3rd Tony Williams and Bill Mitchell 64 Northampton F.C. (Ground Details)Northampton, NorthamptonshirePromoted from National 2 (1st)OrrellEdge Hall Road5,300 (300 seats)Courage Official Rugby Union Club Directory 1990–91 1990 Burlington Publishing Co. Ltd Windsor 3rd Tony Williams and Bill Mitchell 70 Orrell R.U.F.C. (Ground Details) Orrell, Greater Manchester7thSaleHeywood Road4,000 (500 seats)Courage Official Rugby Union Club Directory 1990–91 1990 Burlington Publishing Co. Ltd Windsor 3rd Tony Williams and Bill Mitchell 118 Sale F.C. (Ground Details) Sale, Greater Manchester5thSaracensSouthbury RoadFor the 1996–97 season Saracens would groundshare with football team Enfield at Southbury Road having previously been based at Bramley Road.8,200Southbury Road capacity originally listed as 5,000 but Saracens achieved a crowd of 8,200 versus Harlequins on 19 January 1997. The biggest crowd in the club's history up to this point.Enfield, London9thWaspsLoftus RoadFor the 1996–97 season Wasps would groundshare with football team Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road, having previously been based at Repton Avenue in Sudbury. 18,439Shepherd's Bush, London4thWest HartlepoolBrierton Lane7,000https://www.therugbyjournal.com/rugby-blog/west-hartlepool West Hartlepool Rugby Journal 8 January 2025 Hartlepool, County Durham10th Table main WDL 2 1 points Q WAS Wasps C BAT Bath HAR Harlequins LEI Leicester SAL Sale SAR Saracens GLO Gloucester NOR Northampton Saints BRI Bristol LOI London Irish WHA West Hartlepool R ORR Orrell R 18 1 3 685 406 15 1 6 863 411 15 0 7 745 416 14 1 7 600 395 13 2 7 603 525 12 1 9 568 449 11 1 10 476 589 10 0 12 515 477 8 1 13 432 625 6 0 16 502 747 3 0 19 382 795 3 0 19 350 886 #cfc Champions1997–98 Heineken Cup C #ccf Qualified for1997–98 Heineken Cup HC HC HC #ffe6bd Relegation playoff QR QR #ffcccc Relegated to1997–98 Allied Dunbar Premiership Two R R Points are awarded as follows: two points for a win one point for a draw no points for a loss If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order: difference between points for and against total number of points for complete Results The home team is listed in the left column. main FBR grey BAT BRI GLO HAR LEI LOI NOR ORR SAL SAR WAS WHA Bath 76–7 71–21 35–20 47–9 46–3 52–14 40–14 84–7 35–33 36–40 46–10 Bristol 13–18 18–13 24–35 12–38 26–38 20–11 38–10 34–24 11–21 18–41 20–17 Gloucester 29–45 20–20 11–27 32–30 29–19 19–6 30–0 12–16 9–6 28–23 37–10 Harlequins 22–6 29–6 75–19 18–34 66–7 36–16 89–18 30–31 27–0 22–42 48–10 Leicester 28–25 53–19 32–14 12–13 46–13 23–9 36–14 25–9 22–18 18–12 48–3 London Irish 31–56 27–28 20–21 20–19 25–18 34–21 27–48 19–25 23–37 20–22 52–41 Northampton Saints 9–6 29–21 25–27 15–20 22–19 31–21 41–7 30–12 17–10 15–26 46–20 Orrell 13–56 27–28 3–49 20–56 12–29 32–27 14–50 8–40 22–44 27–44 22–15 Sale Sharks 11–5 31–33 52–12 24–13 20–20 41–25 31–15 37–11 33–23 31–33 58–18 Saracens 36–29 33–15 41–11 28–20 25–23 45–0 24–23 24–15 17–17 15–28 51–8 Wasps 25–25 15–13 36–10 17–19 14–7 31–18 18–13 62–5 36–10 36–21 36–12 West Hartlepool 16–24 19–8 14–23 21–41 19–30 18–33 17–57 24–8 22–43 25–16 23–48 complete Fixtures & Results Round 1 31 August 1996 Harlequins 75 – 19 Reporthttps://www.independent.co.uk/sport/quins-show-fierce-bite-1361281.html Quins show fierce bite The Independent 31 August 1996 Gloucester The Stoop J Pearson 31 August 1996 London Irish 27 – 28 Bristol The Avenue 31 August 1996 Northampton Saints 46 – 20 West Hartlepool Franklin's Gardens 31 August 1996 Orrell 13 – 56 Reporthttps://www.independent.co.uk/sport/orrell-drowned-in-rusty-bath-1361278.html Orrell drowned in rusty Bath The Independent 31 August 1996 Bath Edge Hall Road S Piercy 31 August 1996 Sale 31 – 33 Wasps Heywood Road 31 August 1996 Saracens 25 – 23 Reporthttps://www.independent.co.uk/sport/tigers-awake-too-late-1361277.html Tigers awake too late The Independent 31 August 1996 Leicester Southbury Road S Lander http://www.rugbyarchive.net/fixres Fixtures / Results (August 31, 1996 to May 11, 1996) Rugby Archives 26 April 2025 https://d2eq6t2r9q1quu.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/cms/9/960823.pdf Gloucester v Pontypridd Friday 23 August 1996 Kingsholm Gloucester F.C. RFU 26 April 2025 Round 2 7 September 1996 Bristol 38 – 10 Orrell Memorial Stadium 7 September 1996 Gloucester 12 – 16 Sale Kingsholm 7 September 1996 Leicester 28 – 26 Reporthttps://www.independent.co.uk/sport/tigers-sting-in-the-tail-1362390.html Tigers' sting in the tail The Independent 7 September 1996 Bath Welford Road 14,000 Ed Morrison 7 September 1996 London Irish 34 – 21 Reporthttps://www.independent.co.uk/sport/humphreys-in-command-1362389.html Humphreys in command The Independent 7 September 1996 Northampton Saints The Avenue S Lander 7 September 1996 West Hartlepool 21 – 41 Harlequins Brierton Lane 8 September 1996 Wasps 36 – 21 Saracens Loftus Road 8,000https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby-union-wasps-well-pleased-with-their-slick-new-abode-1363282.html Rugby Union: Wasps well pleased with their slick new abode The Independent 13 September 1996 Round 3 14 September 1996 Bath 36 – 40 Reporthttps://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby-union-wasps-ruin-rec-record-1363440.html Rugby Union: Wasps ruin Rec record The Independent 14 September 1996 Wasps Recreation Ground J Pearson 14 September 1996 Harlequins 66 – 7 Reporthttps://www.independent.co.uk/sport/humphreys-in-command-1362389.html Rugby Union: Connolly takes bow The Independent 14 September 1996 London Irish The Stoop Brian Campsall 14 September 1996 Northampton Saints 29 – 21 Reporthttps://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby-union-saints-and-winners-1363445.html Rugby Union: Saints and winners The Independent 14 September 1996 Bristol Franklin's Gardens J Wallis 14 September 1996 Orrell 12 – 29 Reporthttps://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby-union-botica-fails-to-settle-orrell-1363441.html Rugby Union: Botica fails to settle Orrell The Independent 14 September 1996 Leicester Edge Hall Road C White 14 September 1996 Sale 58 – 18 West Hartlepool Heywood Road 14 September 1996 Saracens 41 – 11 Gloucester Southbury Road Round 4 21 September 1996 Bristol 24 – 35 Reporthttps://www.independent.co.uk/sport/wood-clears-quins-way-1364501.html Wood clears Quins' way The Independent 21 September 1996 Harlequins Memorial Stadium A Spreadbury 21 September 1996 Gloucester 29 – 45 Reporthttps://www.independent.co.uk/sport/bath-flatter-to-deceive-1364498.html Bath flatter to deceive The Independent 21 September 1996 Bath Kingsholm Brian Campsall 21 September 1996 London Irish 19 – 25 Sale The Avenue 21 September 1996 Northampton Saints 41 – 7 Orrell Franklin's Gardens 21 September 1996 West Hartlepool 25 – 16 Saracens Brierton Lane 22 September 1996 Wasps 14 – 7 Leicester Loftus Road Round 5 28 September 1996 Bath 46 – 10 West Hartlepool Recreation Ground 28 September 1996 Leicester 32 – 14 Gloucester Welford Road 28 September 1996 London Irish 23 – 37 Saracens The Avenue 28 September 1996 Northampton Saints 15 – 20 Harlequins Franklin's Gardens 28 September 1996 Orrell 27 – 44 Reporthttps://www.independent.co.uk/sport/orrell-outgunned-1365601.html Orrell outgunned The Independent 28 September 1996 Wasps Edge Hall Road T Spreadbury 28 September 1996 Sale 31 – 33 Bristol Heywood Road Round 6 5 October 1996 Bristol 11 – 21 Saracens Memorial Stadium 5 October 1996 Harlequins 89 – 18 Reporthttps://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby-union-quins-bask-in-superiority-5597009.html Rugby Union: Quins bask in superiority The Independent 6 October 1996 Orrell The Stoop 4,650 J Pearson 5 October 1996 London Irish 31 – 56 Reporthttps://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby-union-guscott-s-brilliance-shines-through-political-muddle-5597016.html Rugby Union: Guscott's brilliance shines through political muddle The Independent 6 October 1996 Bath The Avenue I Rammage 5 October 1996 Northampton Saints 30 – 12 Reporthttps://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby-union-grayson-s-boot-steers-saints-to-safety-5597121.html Rugby Union: Grayson's boot steers Saints to safety The Independent 5 October 1996 Sale Franklin's Gardens Brian Campsall 5 October 1996 West Hartlepool 19 – 30 Reporthttps://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby-union-gallant-west-expose-leicester-s-back-problems-5597013.html Rugby Union: Gallant West expose Leicester's back problems The Independent 6 October 1996 Leicester Brierton Lane Ed Morrison 6 October 1996 Gloucester 28 – 23 Reporthttps://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby-union-gloucester-back-to-fiery-best-5597008.html Rugby Union: Gloucester back to fiery best The Independent 6 October 1996 Wasps Kingsholm D Chapman Round 7 29 October 1996 Bath 76 – 7 Reporthttps://www.independent.co.uk/sport/robinson-inspires-record-rout-1360965.html Robinson inspires record rout The Independent 30 October 1996 Bristol Recreation Ground Brian Campsall 29 October 1996 Saracens 24 – 23 Reporthttps://www.independent.co.uk/sport/ebongalame-flies-in-for-sarries-1360966.html Ebongalame flies in for Sarries The Independent 30 October 1996 Northampton Saints Southbury Road G Warren 30 October 1996 Leicester 46 – 13 London Irish Welford Road 30 October 1996 Sale 24 – 13 Harlequins Heywood Road 31 October 1996 Wasps P – P West Hartlepool Loftus Road Postponed. Game rescheduled to 23 February 1997. 31 October 1996 Orrell P – P Gloucester Edge Hall Road Postponed. Game rescheduled to 16 November 1996. Round 8 9 November 1996 Bristol P – P Leicester Memorial Stadium Postponed. Game rescheduled to 18 December 1996. 9 November 1996 Harlequins P – P Saracens The Stoop Postponed. Game rescheduled to 9 April 1997. 9 November 1996 London Irish P – P Wasps The Avenue Postponed. Game rescheduled to 16 November 1996. 9 November 1996 Northampton Saints 9 – 6 Reporthttps://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby-union-mapletoft-is-guiding-light-1351781.html RUGBY UNION: Saints waiting patiently for Elvis The Independent 11 November 1996 Bath Franklin's Gardens Ed Morrison 9 November 1996 Sale 37 – 11 Orrell Heywood Road 9 November 1996 West Hartlepool 14 – 23 Reporthttps://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby-union-mapletoft-is-guiding-light-1351781.html RUGBY UNION: Mapletoft is guiding light The Independent 11 November 1996 Gloucester Brierton Lane 1,853 N Cousins Rounds 7 & 8 (Rescheduled games) 16 November 1996 London Irish 20 – 22 Reporthttps://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby-union-wasps-survive-the-irish-bluster-1352852.html Rugby Union: Wasps survive the Irish bluster The Independent 17 November 1996 Wasps The Avenue G Hughes Game rescheduled from 9 November 1996. 16 November 1996 Orrell 3 – 49 Gloucester Edge Hall Road Game rescheduled from 31 October 1996. Round 9 7 December 1996 Bath 35 – 20 Reporthttps://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby-union-guscott-resurrects-spirit-of-bath-1313582.html Rugby Union: Guscott resurrects spirit of Bath The Independent 9 December 1996 Harlequins Recreation Ground S Lander 7 December 1996 Gloucester 29 – 19 London Irish Kingsholm 7 December 1996 Orrell 22 – 15 West Hartlepool Edge Hall Road 7 December 1996 Wasps 15 – 13 Reporthttps://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby-union-wasps-leave-it-to-king-1313583.html Rugby Union: Wasps leave it to King The Independent 9 December 1996 Bristol Rugby Loftus Road A Watson 8 December 1996 Leicester 23 – 9 Reporthttps://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby-union-stransky-given-taste-of-tigers-rugged-qualities-1313685.html Rugby Union: Stransky given taste of Tigers' rugged qualities The Independent 9 December 1996 Northampton Saints Welford Road 11,839 A Spreadbury 8 December 1996 Saracens 17 – 17 Sale Southbury Road Round 8 (Rescheduled game) 18 December 1996 Bristol 12 – 38 Reporthttps://www.independent.co.uk/sport/liley-lads-take-the-tigers-to-the-top-1315256.htmll Liley lads take the Tigers to the top The Independent 19 December 1996 Leicester Memorial Stadium S Piercy Game rescheduled from 9 November 1996. Round 10 28 December 1996 Bristol P – P Gloucester Memorial Stadium Postponed. Game rescheduled to 18 February 1997. 28 December 1996 Harlequins 18 – 34 Reporthttps://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby-union-tigers-thrive-on-teamwork-1316439.html Rugby Union: Tigers thrive on teamwork The Independent 30 December 1996 Leicester The Stoop Brian Campsall 28 December 1996 London Irish 52 – 41 West Hartlepool The Avenue 28 December 1996 Sale P – P Bath Heywood Road Postponed. Game rescheduled to 2 April 1997. 28 December 1996 Saracens P – P Orrell Southbury Road Postponed. Game rescheduled to 4 March 1997. 28 December 1996 Wasps 18 – 13 Reporthttps://www.independent.co.uk/sport/wasps-rely-on-rees-1316387.html Wasps rely on Rees The Independent 29 December 1996 Northampton Saints Loftus Road A Rowden Round 11 4 January 1997 Bath 35 – 33 Reporthttps://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby-union-pienaar-unable-to-spring-saracens-1281874.html Rugby Union: Pienaar unable to spring Saracens The Independent 6 January 1997 Saracens Recreation Ground Brian Campsall 4 January 1997 Gloucester P – P Northampton Saints Kingsholm Postponed. Game rescheduled to 4 March 1997. 4 January 1997 Leicester P – P Sale Welford Road Postponed. Game rescheduled to 4 March 1997. 4 January 1997 Orrell P – P London Irish Edge Hall Road Postponed. Game rescheduled to 22 February 1997. 4 January 1997 West Hartlepool 19 – 8 Reporthttps://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby-union-it-is-finally-becoming-tough-to-go-west-1281875.html Rugby Union: It is finally becoming tough to go West The Independent 6 January 1997 Bristol Brierton Lane C Rees 5 January 1997 Wasps 17 – 19 Reporthttps://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby-union-pearly-queens-outrank-kings-of-london-1281876.html Rugby Union: Pearly Queens outrank Kings of London The Independent 6 January 1997 Harlequins Loftus Road Ed Morrison Round 12 11 January 1997 Harlequins 22 – 6 Reporthttps://www.independent.co.uk/sport/lacroix-targets-timid-bath-1282867.html Lacroix targets timid Bath The Independent 12 January 1997 Bath The Stoop S Piercey 11 January 1997 Bristol 18 – 41 Reporthttps://www.independent.co.uk/sport/wasps-wing-it-1282869.html Wasps wing it The Independent 12 January 1997 Wasps Memorial Stadium T Spreadbury 11 January 1997 London Irish 20 – 21 Gloucester The Avenue 11 January 1997 Northampton Saints 22 – 19 Reporthttps://www.independent.co.uk/sport/grayson-s-deftness-tames-the-tigers-1282959.html Grayson's deftness tames the Tigers The Independent 13 January 1997 Leicester Franklin's Gardens 8,400 C White 11 January 1997 West Hartlepool 24 – 8 Orrell Brierton Lane 11 January 1997 Sale P – P Saracens Heywood Road Postponed. Game rescheduled to 15 April 1997. Round 13 18 January 1997 Gloucester 37 – 10 West Hartlepool Kingsholm 18 January 1997 Leicester 53 – 19 Reporthttps://www.independent.co.uk/sport/stransky-roars-again-1284005.html Stransky roars again The Independent 19 January 1997 Bristol Welford Road 9,122 J Pearson 18 January 1997 Orrell 8 – 40 Sale Edge Hall Road 18 January 1997 Wasps P – P London Irish Loftus Road Postponed. Game rescheduled to 26 March 1997. 19 January 1997 Bath 52 – 14 Reporthttps://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby-union-lyle-s-classy-effort-brings-saints-to-their-knees-1284148.html Rugby Union: Lyle's classy effort brings Saints to their knees The Independent 20 January 1997 Northampton Saints Recreation Ground S Lander 19 January 1997 Saracens 28 – 20 Reporthttps://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby-union-lynagh-frees-saracens-spirit-and-flair-1284147.html Rugby Union: Lynagh frees Saracens' spirit and flair The Independent 20 January 1997 Harlequins Southbury Road 8,200The crowd of 8,200 for Saracens v Harlequins on 19 January 1997 was noted as being the biggest crowd in Saracen's home club history up to this point. A Spreadbury Round 14 8 February 1997 Bristol P – P Bath Memorial Stadium Postponed. Game rescheduled to 22 February 1997. 8 February 1997 Gloucester 30 – 0 Orrell Kingsholm 8 February 1997 Harlequins 30 – 31 Reporthttps://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby-union-steel-of-sale-1277810.html Rugby Union: Steel of Sale The Independent 9 February 1997 Sale The Stoop C White 8 February 1997 London Irish P – P Leicester The Avenue Postponed. Game rescheduled to 16 April 1997. 8 February 1997 Northampton Saints 17 – 10 Reporthttps://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby-union-saints-euro-vision-1277811.html Rugby Union: Saints' Euro vision The Independent 9 February 1997 Saracens Franklin's Gardens G Hughes 8 February 1997 West Hartlepool 23 – 48 Wasps Brierton Lane Round 10 (rescheduled game) 18 February 1997 Bristol 18 – 13 Reporthttps://www.independent.co.uk/sport/six-from-burke-halts-bristol-s-losing-run-of-seven-1279500.html Six from Burke halts Bristol's losing run of seven The Independent 19 February 1997 Gloucester Memorial Stadium D Chapman Game rescheduled from 28 December 1996. Rounds 7, 11 & 14 (rescheduled games) 22 February 1997 Bristol 13 – 18 Reporthttps://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby-union-guscott-proves-prince-of-tries-1280239.html Rugby Union: Guscott proves prince of tries The Independent 23 February 1997 Bath Memorial Stadium 8,000 A Rowden Game rescheduled from 8 February 1997. 22 February 1997 Orrell 32 – 27 London Irish Edge Hall Road Game rescheduled from 4 March 1997. 23 February 1997 Wasps 36 – 12 West Hartlepool Loftus Road Game rescheduled from 31 October 1996. Rounds 10 & 11 (rescheduled games) 4 March 1997 Gloucester 19 – 6 Northampton Saints Kingsholm Game rescheduled from 4 January 1997. 4 March 1997 Leicester 25 – 9 Reporthttps://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby-union-stransky-subdues-sale-1271214.html Rugby Union: Stransky subdues Sale The Independent 5 March 1997 Sale Welford Road A Rowden Game rescheduled from 4 January 1997. 4 March 1997 Saracens 24 – 15 Orrell Southbury Road Game rescheduled from 28 December 1996. Round 15 8 March 1997 Bath 46 – 3 Reporthttps://www.independent.co.uk/sport/bath-batter-brave-irish-rugby-union-1271927.html Bath batter brave Irish: Rugby Union The Independent 9 March 1997 London Irish Recreation Ground G Hughes 8 March 1997 Leicester 48 – 3 Reporthttps://www.independent.co.uk/sport/tigers-a-class-apart-rugby-union-1271926.html Tigers a class apart: Rugby Union The Independent 9 March 1997 West Hartlepool Welford Road D Chapman 8 March 1997 Orrell 20 – 56 Reporthttps://www.independent.co.uk/sport/chapman-cheers-quins-rugby-union-1271928.html Chapman cheers Quins: Rugby Union The Independent 9 March 1997 Harlequins Edge Hall Road A Rowden 9 March 1997 Sale 31 – 15 Reporthttps://www.independent.co.uk/sport/mannix-makes-telling-break-rugby-1272047.html Mannix makes telling break: Rugby The Independent 9 March 1997 Northampton Saints Heywood Road Ed Morrison 9 March 1997 Saracens 33 – 15 Reporthttps://www.independent.co.uk/sport/weakened-saracens-too-strong-for-bristol-rugby-1272046.html Weakened Saracens too strong for Bristol: Rugby The Independent 10 March 1997 Bristol Southbury Road T Rossall 9 March 1997 Wasps 36 – 10 Gloucester Loftus Road Round 16 22 March 1997 Bristol 34 – 24 Sale Memorial Stadium 22 March 1997 Gloucester P – P Leicester Kingsholm Postponed. Game rescheduled to 8 April 1997. 22 March 1997 Harlequins 48 – 10 West Hartlepool The Stoop Harlequins were originally due to play Northampton at home and West Hartlepool were due to play Bath away but the fixtures were switched, leaving Bath and Northampton without games on the 22 March. Harlequins would play Northampton on 30 April 1997 while Bath would play West Hartlepool on 27 March 1997. 22 March 1997 Saracens P – P London Irish Southbury Road Postponed. Game rescheduled to 30 April 1997. 22 March 1997 Wasps 62 – 5 Orrell Loftus Road Byes: Bath, Northampton Saints Rounds 13 & 16 (rescheduled games) 26 March 1997 Wasps 31 – 18 Reporthttps://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby-union-wasps-fight-for-points-1275354.html Rugby Union: Wasps fight for points The Independent 27 March 1997 London Irish Loftus Road Game rescheduled from 18 January 1997. 27 March 1997 West Hartlepool 16 – 24 Reporthttps://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby-bath-break-west-spirit-1275509.html Rugby: Bath break West spirit The Independent 28 March 1997 Bath Brierton Lane Brian Campsall Game rescheduled from 22 March 1997 when West Hartlepool's game with Bath was swapped for an away game against Harlequins. Round 17 29 March 1997 Bath P – P Gloucester Recreation Ground Postponed. Game rescheduled to 30 April 1997. 29 March 1997 Harlequins P – P Bristol The Stoop Postponed. Game rescheduled to 15 April 1997. 29 March 1997 Leicester P – P Wasps Welford Road Postponed. Game rescheduled to 2 April 1997. 29 March 1997 Orrell 14 – 50 Northampton Saints Edge Hall Road 29 March 1997 Sale P – P London Irish Heywood Road Postponed. Game rescheduled to 23 April 1997. 30 March 1997 Saracens 51 – 8 West Hartlepool Southbury Road Rounds 10 & 17 (rescheduled games) 2 April 1997 Leicester 18 – 12 Reporthttps://www.independent.co.uk/sport/stransky-s-boot-sees-off-wasps-rugby-union-1264991.html Stransky's boot sees off Wasps: Rugby Union The Independent 2 April 1997 Wasps Welford Road 17,000 Brian Campsall Game rescheduled from 29 March 1997. 2 April 1997 Sale 11 – 5 Reporthttps://www.independent.co.uk/sport/sale-steal-a-march-on-bath-rugby-union-1264973.html Sale steal a march on Bath: Rugby Union The Independent 2 April 1997 Bath Heywood Road J Pearson Game rescheduled from 28 December 1996. Round 18 5 April 1997 Bristol 20 – 11 Northampton Saints Memorial Stadium 5 April 1997 Gloucester 9 – 6 Reporthttps://www.independent.co.uk/sport/mapletoft-drops-in-late-1265423.html Mapletoft drops in late The Independent 5 April 1997 Saracens Kingsholm A Rowden 5 April 1997 Leicester 36 – 14 Reporthttps://www.independent.co.uk/sport/tigers-tease-orrell-1265422.html Tigers tease Orrell The Independent 5 April 1997 Orrell Welford Road S Piercy 5 April 1997 London Irish 20 – 19 Harlequins The Avenue 5 April 1997 West Hartlepool 22 – 43 Sale Brierton Lane 6 April 1997 Wasps 25 – 25 Reporthttps://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby-union-bath-on-way-back-1265712.html Rugby Union: Bath on way back The Independent 6 April 1997 Bath Loftus Road 11,000 C White Rounds 8 & 16 (rescheduled games) 8 April 1997 Gloucester 32 – 30 Reporthttps://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby-union-theatrical-feast-ended-by-greening-s-late-try-1266159.html Rugby Union: Theatrical feast ended by Greening's late try The Independent 8 April 1997 Leicester Kingsholm G Hughes Game rescheduled from 22 March 1997. 9 April 1997 Harlequins 27 – 0 Reporthttps://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby-union-quins-accept-saracens-charity-1266329.html Rugby Union: Quins accept Saracens' charity The Independent 9 April 1997 Saracens The Stoop S Piercey Game rescheduled from 9 November 1996. Round 19 12 April 1997 Bath 47 – 9 Reporthttps://www.independent.co.uk/sport/tigers-on-their-knees-1266940.html Tigers on their knees The Independent 12 April 1997 Leicester Recreation Ground Ed Morrison 12 April 1997 Northampton Saints 31 – 21 London Irish Franklin's Gardens 12 April 1997 Orrell 27 – 28 Bristol Edge Hall Road 12 April 1997 Sale 52 – 12 Reporthttps://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby-union-mannix-inspires-sale-s-wouldbe-tourists-1267058.html Rugby Union: Mannix inspires Sale's would-be tourists The Independent 13 April 1997 Gloucester Heywood Road Brian Campsall 12 April 1997 Saracens 15 – 28 Reporthttps://www.independent.co.uk/sport/wasps-fly-free-of-the-pack-1266941.html Wasps fly free of the pack The Independent 12 April 1997 Wasps Southbury Road S Lander Byes: Harlequins, West HartlepoolThe Harlequins versus West Hartlepool fixture was rescheduled to be played on 22 March 1997 due to the original game of West Hartlepool versus Bath being switched to 29 March. Rounds 12, 14 & 17 (rescheduled games) 15 April 1997 Harlequins 29 – 6 Bristol The Stoop Game rescheduled from 29 March 1997. 15 April 1997 Sale 33 – 23 Saracens Heywood Road Game rescheduled from 11 January 1997. 16 April 1997 London Irish 25 – 18 Leicester The Avenue Game rescheduled from 22 February 1997. Round 20 19 April 1997 Bath 40 – 14 Reporthttps://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby-union-peters-preserves-the-hope-1268294.html Rugby Union: Peters preserves the hope The Independent 19 April 1997 Orrell Recreation Ground A Rowden Orrell were relegated. 19 April 1997 Bristol 26 – 38 London Irish Memorial Stadium 19 April 1997 Gloucester 11 – 27 Reporthttps://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby-union-lacroix-puts-europe-on-the-agenda-1268295.html Rugby Union: Lacroix puts Europe on the agenda The Independent 19 April 1997 Harlequins Kingsholm J Pearson 19 April 1997 Leicester 22 – 18 Reporthttps://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby-union-tigers-revert-to-type-1268293.html Rugby Union: Tigers revert to type The Independent 19 April 1997 Saracens Welford Road C White 19 April 1997 West Hartlepool 17 – 57 Northampton Saints Brierton Lane 20 April 1997 Wasps 36 – 10 Reporthttps://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby-union-tigers-revert-to-type-1268293.html Rugby Union: Wasps' thoroughly modern winning ways The Independent 20 April 1997 Sale Loftus Road Ed Morrison Round 17 (rescheduled game) 23 April 1997 Sale 41 – 25 London Irish Heywood Road Game rescheduled from 29 March 1997. Round 21 26 April 1997 Bath 84 – 7 Reporthttps://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby-union-bath-power-to-record-1269470.html Rugby union: Bath power to record The Independent 26 April 1997 Sale Recreation Ground C White 26 April 1997 Gloucester 20 – 20 Bristol Kingsholm 26 April 1997 Leicester 12 – 13 Reporthttps://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby-union-lacroix-s-class-edges-quins-home-1269472.html Rugby union: Lacroix's class edges Quins home The Independent 26 April 1997 Harlequins Welford Road S Lander 26 April 1997 Northampton Saints 15 – 26 Report Wasps Franklin's Gardens G Hughes Wasps are champions. 26 April 1997 Orrell 22 – 44 Saracens Edge Hall Road 26 April 1997 West Hartlepool 18 - 33 London Irish Brierton Lane West Hartlepool are relegated. Rounds 16 & 17 (rescheduled games) 30 April 1997 Bath 71 – 21 Gloucester Recreation Ground Game rescheduled from 29 March 1997. 30 April 1997 Harlequins 36 – 16 Northampton Saints The Stoop Game rescheduled from 22 March 1997 when Harlequins game with Northampton was swapped to Harlequins versus West Hartlepool. 30 April 1997 Saracens 45 – 0 London Irish Southbury Road Game rescheduled from 22 March 1997. Round 22 3 May 1997 Harlequins 22 – 42 Reporthttps://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby-union-wasps-in-stylish-signoff-1259708.html Rugby union: Lacroix's class edges Quins home The Independent 3 May 1997 Wasps The Stoop C White 3 May 1997 London Irish 27 – 48 Orrell The Avenue 3 May 1997 Northampton Saints 25 – 27 Reporthttps://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby-union-hill-the-driving-force-1259709.html Rugby Union: Tigers savage the Euro sceptics The Independent 3 May 1997 Gloucester Franklin's Gardens C Reeks 3 May 1997 Sale 20 – 20 Reporthttps://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby-union-tigers-savage-the-euro-sceptics-1259698.html Rugby Union: Hill the driving force The Independent 3 May 1997 Leicester Heywood Road Ed Morrison 3 May 1997 Saracens 36 – 29 Bath Southbury Road 4 May 1997 Bristol 20 – 17 West Hartlepool Memorial Stadium Relegation/Promotion playoffs For the first time play-offs took place between the third and fourth placed teams in Division Two and the ninth and tenth placed teams in Division One. The play-offs followed a 4th v 9th, 3rd v 10th system. The matches were played over two legs, with the second-tier team playing at home in the first leg. First leg 7 May 1997 Bedford 11 – 20 Reporthttps://www.independent.co.uk/sport/bedford-make-life-difficult-for-bristol-1260391.html Bedford make life difficult for Bristol The Independent 7 May 1997 Bristol Goldington Road J Pearson 7 May 1997 Coventry 16 – 14 Reporthttps://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby-union-harris-keeps-the-irish-stewing-1260389.html Rugby Union: Harris keeps the Irish stewing The Independent 7 May 1997 London Irish Coundon Road G Hughes Second leg 11 May 1997 Bristol 19 – 12 Reporthttps://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby-union-burke-s-boot-calms-bristol-1261054.html Rugby Union: Burke's boot calms Bristol The Independent 11 May 1997 Bedford Memorial Ground S Lander Bristol won 39–23 on aggregate. 11 May 1997 London Irish 28 – 7 Reporthttps://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby-union-exiles-preserve-their-status-1261055.html Rugby Union: Exiles preserve their status The Independent 11 May 1997 Coventry The Avenue Ed Morrison London Irish won 42–23 on aggregate. Note See also 1996–97 National Division 2 1996–97 National Division 3 1996–97 National Division 4 North 1996–97 National Division 4 South References 30em External links Official website Category:Premiership Rugby seasons English