The 2004–05 National Division One was the 18th 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 Rotherham Titans who were demoted from the 2003-04 Zurich Premiership while Sedgley Park and Nottingham were promoted from the 2003–04 National Division Two. Rotherham almost went into liquidation and dropped out of the leagues following their relegation from the Premiership but were saved by a local consortium which enabled them to continue playing in National One. As well as new teams Coventry had a new ground, moving from Coundon Road to the smaller but more modern Butts Park Arena.
By the end of the season, after two seasons spent in the division, Bristol Shoguns became champions and were promoted back to the Guinness Premiership for season 2005–06. Exeter Chiefs were runners–up, and Orrell (last seasons runners–up) along with Henley were relegated to the 2005–06 National Division Two.
Participating teams
Table
Results
Round 1
Postponed. Game rescheduled to 12 February 2005.
Round 2
Round 3
Round 4
Round 5
Round 6
Round 7
Despite earlier winning the game 22-15 Coventry were in breach of RFU principal regulation 11.4 and the Titans were awarded the win.
Round 8
Postponed. Game rescheduled to 5 March 2005.
Round 9
Round 10
Round 11
Round 12
Round 13
Postponed. Game rescheduled to 5 February 2005.
Postponed. Game rescheduled to 5 February 2005.
Round 14
Postponed. Game rescheduled to 12 February 2005.
Postponed. Game rescheduled to 12 February 2005.
Round 15
Round 16
Round 17
Postponed. Game rescheduled to 19 March 2005.
Round 18
Round 13 (rescheduled games)
Round 1 & 14 (rescheduled games)
Round 19
Round 20
Round 8 (rescheduled game)
Round 21
Round 17 (rescheduled game)
Round 22
Round 23
Round 24
Round 25
Round 26
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 — 53 pts (x2) 62 - 9 Bristol Shoguns at home to Sedgley Park on 16 January 2005 68 - 15 Bristol Shoguns at home to Exeter Chiefs on 27 March 2005 Largest away win — 48 pts 53 - 5 Bristol Shoguns away to Orrell on 9 April 2005 Most points scored — 68 pts 68 - 15 Bristol Shoguns at home to Exeter Chiefs on 27 March 2005 Most tries in a match — 10 Bristol Shoguns away to Nottingham on 2 October 2005 Most conversions in a match — 8 (x2) Rotherham Titans at home to Orrell on 18 September 2004 Bristol Shoguns at home to Sedgley Park on 16 January 2005 Most penalties in a match — 9 Coventry at home to Otley on 13 November 2004 Most drop goals in a match — 2 Bristol Shoguns at home to London Welsh on 12 September 2004
Player
Most points in a match — 27 (x2) Ramiro Pez for Rotherham Titans at home to Orrell on 18 September 2004 Matthew Leek for Coventry at home to Otley on 13 November 2004 Most tries in a match — 4 (x2) Dan Ward-Smith for Plymouth Albion at home to Coventry on 9 October 2004 Sean Marsden for Bristol Shoguns away to Orrell on 9 April 2005 Most conversions in a match — 8 Ramiro Pez for Rotherham Titans at home to Orrell on 18 September 2004 Most penalties in a match — 9 Matthew Leek for Coventry at home to Otley on 13 November 2004 Most drop goals in a match — 1 N/A - multiple players