The 1988–89 National Division 2 (sponsored by Courage Brewery) was the second season of the second tier of the English rugby union league system, the Courage Clubs Championship, currently known as Champ Rugby. New sides to the division included Coventry and Sale who had been relegated from the top flight and there had been no promotion into the league.

Saracens, the champions, and runners–up Bedford were promoted to the 1989–90 National Division 1. At the other end of the table, bottom team London Welsh and London Scottish who finished 11th were relegated to the 1989–90 National Division 3.

Structure Each team played one match against each of the other teams, playing a total of eleven matches each, and for the first time matches were played on fixed Saturdays. The top two clubs were promoted to National Division 1 and the bottom two relegated to National Division 3.

Participating teams

TeamStadiumCapacityCity/AreaPrevious seasonBedfordGoldington Road4,800 (800 seats)Bedford, Bedfordshire5thBlackheathRectory Field3,500 (500 seats)Greenwich, London11th (no relegation)CoventryCoundon Road10,000 (1,100 seats) Coventry, West MidlandsRelegated from National 1 (11th)GosforthNorth Road2,000 (400 stand)Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear10thHeadingleyClarence Fields7,850 (850 seats)Leeds, West Yorkshire4thLondon IrishThe Avenue3,600 (600 seats)Sunbury-on-Thames, Surrey8thLondon ScottishAthletic Ground7,300 (1,300 seats)Richmond, London7thLondon WelshOld Deer Park4,500 (1,500 seats)Richmond, London9thNorthamptonFranklin's Gardens6,000 (2,000 seats)Northampton, Northamptonshire12th (no relegation)RichmondAthletic Ground7,300 (1,300 seats)Richmond, London6thSaleHeywood Road4,000 (500 seats) Sale, Greater ManchesterRelegated from National 1 (12th)SaracensBramley Road2,300 (300 seats)Enfield, London3rd

Table

Fixtures & Results Round 1

Round 2

Round 3

Round 4

Round 5

Round 6

Round 7

Round 8

Round 9

Round 10

Round 11

See also 1988–89 National Division 1 1988–89 National Division 3 1988–89 Area League North 1988–89 Area League South

References