# 1996–97 Courage League National Division Three

The 1996–97 Courage League National Division Three was the tenth full season of rugby union within the third tier of the English league system, currently known as National League 1. Exeter won a title for the second season in succession, following last seasons National League 4 title. The runner-up, Fylde, finished one point behind Exeter and were also promoted. Four teams were relegated; Walsall to National 2 North and Havant, Redruth and Clifton to National 2 South.

## Structure

The league consists of sixteen teams, playing each other on a home and away basis to make a total of thirty matches for each team. There are two promotion places and four relegation places, with the champions and runner-up promoted to National League 2 and the last four teams relegated to either National Division 4 North or South, depending on their location.

## Participating teams and locations

National Division Three was increased from ten teams to sixteen with six of the clubs participating in last seasons competition. To make up the numbers the top eight teams in National Division Four were all promoted; Lydney and Wharfedale, as champions of National League 5 South and National League 5 North respectively were also promoted, from the fifth to the third tier.
| Team | Ground | Capacity | City/Area | Previous season |
| Clifton | Station Road | 2,500 | Cribbs Causeway, Henbury, Bristol | Promoted from Division 4 (6th) |
| Exeter | County Ground | 5,200 | Exeter, Devon | Promoted from Division 4 (champions) |
| Fylde | Woodlands | 9,000 | Lytham St Annes, Lancashire | 10th |
| Harrogate | Claro Road | 3,000 | Harrogate, North Yorkshire | 6th |
| Havant | Hook's Lane | 1,500 | Havant, Hampshire | Promoted from Division 4 (8th) |
| Leeds | Headingley Stadium | 22,250 | Headingley, Leeds, West Yorkshire | Promoted from Division 4 (5th) |
| Liverpool St Helens | Moss Lane | 3,000 | St Helens, Merseyside | Promoted from Division 4 (3rd) |
| London Welsh | Old Deer Park | 5,850 | Richmond, London | Promoted from Division 4 (runners up) |
| Lydney | Regentsholm | 1,500 | Lydney, Gloucestershire | Promoted from National League 5 South (champions) |
| Morley | Scatcherd Lane | | Morley, Leeds, West Yorkshire | 5th |
| Otley | Cross Green | 5,000 | Otley, West Yorkshire | 8th |
| Reading | Holme Park | | Reading, Berkshire | Promoted from Division 4 (champions) |
| Redruth | Recreation Ground | 12,000 | Redruth, Cornwall | Promoted from Division 4 (7th) |
| Rosslyn Park | The Rock | 2,000 | Roehampton, London | 9th |
| Walsall | Broadway Ground | 1,150 | Walsall, West Midlands | Promoted from Division 4 (4th) |
| Wharfedale | The Avenue | 2,000 | Threshfield, North Yorkshire | Promoted from National League 5 North (champions) |

## League table

1996–97 Courage League National Division Three table :
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | Pts | Qualification |
| 1 | Exeter (C) | 30 | 25 | 0 | 5 | 923 | 443 | +480 | 50 | Promoted |
| 2 | Fylde | 30 | 24 | 1 | 5 | 813 | 439 | +374 | 49 | Promoted |
| 3 | Leeds | 30 | 24 | 0 | 6 | 1209 | 432 | +777 | 48 | |
| 4 | Morley | 30 | 22 | 0 | 8 | 928 | 570 | +358 | 44 | |
| 5 | Harrogate | 30 | 18 | 0 | 12 | 832 | 599 | +233 | 36 | |
| 6 | Reading | 30 | 17 | 1 | 12 | 869 | 631 | +238 | 35 | |
| 7 | Wharfedale | 30 | 17 | 0 | 13 | 710 | 635 | +75 | 34 | |
| 8 | Rosslyn Park | 30 | 17 | 0 | 13 | 630 | 620 | +10 | 34 | |
| 9 | Otley | 30 | 13 | 0 | 17 | 720 | 766 | −46 | 26 | |
| 10 | Lydney | 30 | 13 | 0 | 17 | 668 | 766 | −98 | 26 | |
| 11 | London Welsh | 30 | 12 | 0 | 18 | 632 | 777 | −145 | 24 | |
| 12 | Liverpool St Helens | 30 | 9 | 0 | 21 | 665 | 827 | −162 | 18 | |
| 13 | Walsall | 30 | 8 | 0 | 22 | 640 | 980 | −340 | 16 | Relegated |
| 14 | Havant | 30 | 8 | 0 | 22 | 580 | 954 | −374 | 16 | Relegated |
| 15 | Redruth | 30 | 8 | 0 | 22 | 565 | 1116 | −551 | 16 | Relegated |
| 16 | Clifton | 30 | 4 | 0 | 26 | 518 | 1347 | −829 | 8 | Relegated |

## Sponsorship

National Division Three is part of the Courage Clubs Championship and is sponsored by Courage Brewery. This was their tenth and final season of sponsorship.