2023–24 National League 1

The 2023–24 National League 1 is the 36th season of the third tier of the English domestic rugby union competitions.

Chinnor claimed the league title on 13 April with one game still to play following a resounding away win at Birmingham Moseley. Runners up Rams looked like contenders for most of the season but in the end it was comfortable for Chinnor, who finished 13 points clear. In winning the league Chinnor would be promoted to the 2024–25 RFU Championship - the highest level the club had reached in its history.

The relegation race was very tight and went to the last game of the season, with four sides possibly going down. In the end Cinderford and Taunton Titans were the relegated teams. In Taunton's case they would feel particular hard done by having won the final four games of the season but in the end missing out on survival by just one point. Both sides would drop down to the 2024–25 National League 2 West, with Taunton returning to tier 4 for the first time in three seasons and Cinderford in six.

Structure
The league consists of fourteen teams, with all the teams playing each other on a home and away basis, to make a total of twenty-six matches each. There is one promotion place, with the champions promoted to the RFU Championship, and typically there are three relegation places to either, National League 2 East, National League 2 North or National League 2 West, depending on the geographical location of the team.

Due to the liquidation of RFU Championship side Jersey Reds in September 2023 and the knock on effect on the league system, there will only be two teams relegated from National League 1 at the end of the 2023–24 season.

The results of the matches contribute points to the league table as follows:
 * 4 points are awarded for a win
 * 2 points are awarded for a draw
 * 0 points are awarded for a loss, however
 * 1 losing (bonus) point is awarded to a team that loses a match by 7 points or fewer
 * 1 additional (bonus) point is awarded to a team scoring 4 tries or more in a match.

Fixtures & results
Fixtures for the season were published by the RFU on 12 June 2023.

Round 12

 * Postponed due to frozen pitch. Game to be rescheduled for 6 January 2024.


 * Postponed due to frozen pitch. Game to be rescheduled for 6 January 2024.

Round 12 (rescheduled games)

 * Game rescheduled from 2 December 2023.


 * Game rescheduled from 2 December 2023.

Round 16

 * Postponed due to frozen pitch. Game to be rescheduled for 3 February 2024.


 * Postponed due to frozen pitch. Game to be rescheduled for 3 February 2024.


 * Postponed due to frozen pitch. Game to be rescheduled for 3 February 2024.


 * Postponed due to frozen pitch. Game to be rescheduled for 3 February 2024.


 * Postponed due to frozen pitch. Game to be rescheduled for 3 February 2024.

Round 16 (rescheduled games)

 * Game rescheduled from 20 January 2024.


 * Game rescheduled from 20 January 2024.


 * Game rescheduled from 20 January 2024.


 * Game rescheduled from 20 January 2024.


 * Game rescheduled from 20 January 2024.

Round 25

 * Chinnor are champions.

Round 26

 * Taunton Titans are relegated.


 * Cinderford are relegated.