1996–97 National Division 2
| 1996–97 National Division 2 | |
|---|---|
| Countries | England |
| Date | 7 September 1996 – 11 May 1997 |
| Champions | Richmond (1st title) |
| Runners-up | Newcastle Falcons |
| Relegated | Rugby Lions Nottingham |
| Matches played | 132 |
| Highest attendance | 8,000 – Coventry v Newcastle (2 November 1996) |
| Top point scorer | 334 – Simon Mason (Richmond) |
| Top try scorer | 23 – John Bentley (Newcastle) |
The 1996–97 National Division 2 (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 Champ 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. New sides to the division included Richmond, Coventry, Rugby Lions and Rotherham (all promoted from tier 3) and there had been no teams relegated from tier 1 due to league restructuring.
The top two teams, Richmond and Newcastle Falcons were automatically promoted to the new look 1997–98 Premiership 1 (formerly National Division 1), and for the first time there were play–offs between the third and fourth placed teams, and the ninth and tenth placed teams in Division One, which meant 2 to 4 teams could be promoted/relegated between the divisions. The Division 2 sides played at home first with the winners of the two matches, on aggregate score, playing in the top division the following season. Coventry and Bedford both failed to win promotion.
At the end other end of the table, Rugby Lions and Nottingham were relegated to the newly named 1997–98 National League 1 (formerly National Division 3). Last season Nottingham finished in the bottom two and escaped relegation due to the division being increased from ten clubs to twelve clubs. This season they were not so lucky and next season will be their first in Division Three.