The 1995–96 National Division 4 was the ninth full season of rugby union within the fourth tier of the English league system, currently the regional divisions National League 2 South and National League 2 North, and the third and final using the name National Division 4. Impending changes to the league structure by the RFU meant that this would be the last season for National Division 4 as a national league with it reverting to the previous incarnation of two regional leagues - National Division 4 North and National Division 4 North. It would also herald the elimination of National Division 5 North and South, which were to be divided back into four regional divisions - North 1, Midlands 1, London 1 and South West 1. These changes meant that the top 8 teams would be promoted to an expanded National Division 3 while the bottom teams would be transferred into the reintroduced National Division 4 North or South depending on location, where they would be joined by teams from the discontinued National Division 5 North/South divisions.
By the end of the campaign Exeter finished as champions, 4 points ahead of runners up London Welsh. Both champions and runners up were joined by the teams ranked 3rd through to 8th in claiming promotion to the 1996–97 National Division 3. The bottom two sides were Plymouth Albion and Aspatria who would be transferred to National Division 4 South and National Division 4 North respectively.
Structure Each team played home and away matches against each of the other teams, playing a total of eighteen matches each. Changes to the league structure by the RFU for the 1996-97 season meant that the top eight sides were promoted to National Division 3 while the bottom two were transferred to the new-look National Division 4 North or National Division 4 South depending on locality.
Participating teams and locations
TeamStadiumCapacityCity/AreaPrevious seasonAspatria Bower Park3,000 (300 seats) Aspatria, Cumbria5thClifton Station Road 2,200 (200 seats) Cribbs Causeway, Henbury, Bristol Relegated from National 3 (9th)Exeter County Ground 5,750 (750 seats)Exeter, DevonRelegated from National 3 (10th)HavantHook's Lane 2,000 (200 seats)Havant, Hampshire4thLeedsClarence Fields7,850 (850 seats)Leeds, West Yorkshire6thLiverpool St Helens Moss Lane 4,370 (370 seats) St Helens, Merseyside 3rdLondon Welsh Old Deer Park5,850 Richmond, London Promoted from National 5 South (1st)Plymouth Albion Beacon Park1,950 (450 seats)Plymouth, Devon 8thRedruth Recreation Ground 12,000 Redruth, Cornwall 7thWalsall Broadway Ground 2,250 (250 seats) Walsall, West Midlands Promoted from National 5 North (1st)
League table
Sponsorship National Division 4 is part of the Courage Clubs Championship and is sponsored by Courage Brewery.
Notes
See also 1995–96 National Division 1 1995–96 National Division 2 1995–96 National Division 3 1995–96 Courage League Division 5 North 1995–96 Courage League Division 5 South
References