2013–14 National League 1

The 2013–14 National League 1, known for sponsorship reasons as the SSE National League 1 is the fifth season of the third tier of the English domestic rugby union competitions, since the professionalised format of the second tier RFU Championship was introduced. After being relegated last season, Doncaster Knights are the champions and became the first team to be promoted straight back to the RFU Championship for the 2014–15 season. The teams promoted last season from 2012–13 National League 2 South and 2012–13 National League 2 North, Henley Hawks, Hull Ionians and Worthing Raiders finished in the bottom three places with Henley and Worthing to join the 2014–15 National League 2 South and Ionians to the 2014–15 National League 2 North.

Participating teams and locations
After eight seasons in the second tier, Doncaster Knights find themselves playing in this league following their relegation from the RFU Championship. Henley Hawks and Hull Ionians were promoted as champions of their respected leagues National League 2 South and National League 2 North respectively. The third team to win promotion to the league was Worthing Raiders who beat Stourbridge in the promotion play-off 28–26. It is the first appearance at this level for both Hull Ionians and Worthing Raiders.

Structure
The league consists of sixteen teams with all the teams playing each other on a home and away basis to make a total of thirty matches each. There is one promotion place and three relegation places.

Round 25

 * The above match was the 150th anniversary of rugby's oldest fixture.

Team
67 – 14 Coventry v Hull Ionians on 26 April 12 – 60 Rosslyn Park at Hull Ionians on 12 April 67 – 14 Coventry v Hull Ionians on 26 April 12 – 60 Rosslyn Park at Hull Ionians on 12 April 63 – 21 Coventry v Blackheath on 26 October 12 – 60 Rosslyn Park at Hull Ionians on 12 April 67 – 14 Coventry v Hull Ionians on 26 April Esher home to Tynedale on 9 November Fylde home to Loughborough Students on 26 January Wharfdale v Loughborough Students on 21 September Wharfdale at Tynedale on 28 September N/A - multiple teams
 * Largest home win — 53 pts
 * Largest away win — 48 pts
 * Most points scored — 67pts
 * Most points scored away from home — 60 pts
 * Most tries in a match — 10
 * Most conversions in a match — 8
 * Most penalties in a match — 7
 * Most drop goals in a match — 1

Player
Clifford Hodgson for Coventry at home to Blackheath on 26 October Ben Frankland for Tynedale home to Blackheath on 18 January Howe for Rosslyn Park at Hull Ionians on 12 April Luke Daniels for Esher home to Tynedale on 9 November Tom Barrett for Wharfdale at home to Loughborough Students on 21 September Tom Barrett for Wharfdale at Tynedale on 28 September N/A - multiple players 7.24 seconds by Tyson Lewis for Doncaster Knights at Old Albanians – the fastest ever try by a professional rugby union player. The try was originally timed at 8.13 seconds, but Guinness World Records recorded it as 7.24 seconds. The previous record was 8.28 seconds by Lee Blackett for Leeds Carnegie at home to Newcastle Falcons in the 2007–08 English Premiership.
 * Most points in a match — 28 pts
 * Most tries in a match — 4
 * Most conversions in a match — 8
 * Most penalties in a match — 7
 * Most drop goals in a match — 1
 * Fastest try from kick-off

Attendances
Rosslyn Park at home to Doncaster Knights on 29 March 2014 Loughborough Students at home to Hull Ionians on 22 March 2014 Coventry Hull Ionians
 * Highest — 1,756
 * Lowest — 100
 * Highest Average Attendance — 1,198
 * Lowest Average Attendance — 283