The 2002–03 National Division One (for sponsorship reasons known as the Jewson National Division One) was the 16th full season of rugby union within the second tier of the English league system, currently known as the RFU Championship. New teams to the division included Orrell and Plymouth Albion who were promoted from 2001–02 National Division Two while no team was relegated from the 2001-02 Zurich Premiership as Rotherham's ground was not deemed suitable for top flight games.
For the second year in a row Rotherham, were champions, and this year they were promoted to the Zurich Premiership for season 2003–04 with Worcester finishing as runners–up for the third consecutive season. Moseley and Rugby were relegated to the 2003–04 National Division Two.
Participating teams
Table
Results
Round 1
Round 2
Round 3
Round 4
Round 5
Round 6
Round 7
Round 8
Round 9
Round 10
Round 11
Round 12
Round 13
Round 14
Postponed. Game rescheduled to 16 February 2003.
Postponed. Game rescheduled to 16 February 2003.
Postponed. Game rescheduled to 21 April 2003.
Round 15
Postponed. Game rescheduled to 23 March 2003.
Postponed. Game rescheduled to 16 February 2003.
Postponed. Game rescheduled to 22 March 2003.
Postponed. Game rescheduled to 8 March 2003.
Postponed. Game rescheduled to 8 March 2003.
Postponed. Game rescheduled to 16 February 2003.
Round 16
Round 17
Postponed. Game rescheduled to 8 March 2003.
Round 18
Postponed. Game rescheduled to 9 April 2003.
Round 19
Round 14 & 15 (rescheduled games)
Game rescheduled from 11 January 2003..
Game rescheduled from 4 January 2003.
Game rescheduled from 11 January 2003.
Game rescheduled from 4 January 2003.
Round 21 (rescheduled game)
Game brought forward from 1 March 2003.
Round 20
Round 21
Game brought forward to 19 February 2003.
Game postponed. Rescheduled to 8 March 2003.
Postponed. Game rescheduled to 23 March 2003.
Postponed. Game rescheduled to 5 April 2003.
Round 15, 17 & 21 (rescheduled games)
Game rescheduled from 25 January 2003.
Game rescheduled from 1 March 2003.
Game rescheduled from 11 January 2003.
Game rescheduled from 11 January 2003.
Round 22
Rounds 15 & 21 (rescheduled games)
Game rescheduled from 11 January 2003.
Game rescheduled from 11 January 2003.
Game rescheduled from 1 March 2003.
Round 23
Rounds 18, 21 & 26 (rescheduled games)
Game brought forward from 26 April 2003.
Game rescheduled from 1 March 2003.
Game rescheduled from 1 February 2003.
Round 24
Round 25
Round 14 (rescheduled game)
Round 26
Game brought forward to 5 April 2003.
Total Season Attendances
Individual statistics
Note that points scorers includes tries as well as conversions, penalties and drop goals.
Top points scorers
Top try scorers
Season records
Team
Largest home win — 99 pts
102 - 3 Rotherham at home to Moseley on 6 October 2002
Largest away win — 68 pts
75 - 7 Rotherham away to Moseley on 8 February 2003
Most points scored — 102 pts
102 - 3 Rotherham at home to Moseley on 6 October 2002
Most tries in a match — 14 (x2) Exeter Chiefs at home to Rugby Lions on 14 September 2002 Rotherham at home to Moseley on 6 October 2002 Most conversions in a match — 10 (x3) Rotherham at home to Moseley on 6 October 2002 Rotherham away to Moseley on 8 February 2003 Worcester away to Moseley on 22 March 2003 Most penalties in a match — 8 (x2) Bedford Blues at home to Otley on 2 November 2002 Coventry at home to Exeter Chiefs on 9 April 2003 Most drop goals in a match — 2 (x3) Plymouth Albion at home to Wakefield on 8 February 2003 Bedford Blues at home to Plymouth Albion on 23 March 2003 Exeter Chiefs at home to Plymouth Albion on 19 April 2003