1999–00 Premiership 1


The 1999–00 Premiership 1 was the thirteenth season of the first tier of the English league system, currently known a Premiership Rugby, and the third and final to be sponsored by Allied Dunbar, having previous been sponsored by Courage Brewery. Leicester Tigers were defending champions and Bristol the promoted side. The league was reduced from fourteen teams to twelve following London Scottish and Richmond both entering administration.
At the end of the season Leicester Tigers finished as champions, retaining their title. Bottom side Bedford were relegated to the 2000–01 National Division One after losing the promotion-relegation playoff against Premiership 2 champions Rotherham.

Structure

Each side played one another twice, in a round robin system, home and away, to make a total of twenty-two matches for each team. The bottom side would play a two legged promotion-relegation playoff against the Premiership 2 league champion to decide who be in the division for the following season.

Participating teams

TeamStadiumCapacityCity/AreaPrevious season
BathRecreation Ground8,500Bath, Somerset6th
BedfordGoldington Road6,500Bedford, Bedfordshire13th
BristolMemorial Stadium8,500 BristolPromoted from Premiership 2
GloucesterKingsholm12,000Gloucester, Gloucestershire10th
HarlequinsThe Stoop9,000 Twickenham, London4th
Leicester TigersWelford Road17,000Leicester, LeicestershireChampions
London IrishThe Stoop9,000Twickenham, London7th
London WaspsLoftus Road18,439Shepherd's Bush, London5th
Newcastle FalconsKingston Park8,000Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear8th
Northampton SaintsFranklin's Gardens10,000Northampton, Northamptonshire2nd
Sale SharksHeywood Road4,800Sale, Greater Manchester11th
SaracensVicarage Road22,000Watford, Hertfordshire3rd

Table

The season began on 10 September 1999.
Points increased from 2 to 3 for a win after the World Cup in November 1999. This was an attempt to ensure competitive balance in the leagues for teams while they were without their international players.

Results

Week 8

Week 16

Week 24

Promotion/Relegation Playoff

12th place Bedford faced 1999–00 Premiership 2 champions Rotherham in a two legged playoff to see who was promoted or relegated.

Leading scorers

Note: Flags to the left of player names indicate national team as has been defined under World Rugby eligibility rules, or primary nationality for players who did not earn international senior caps. Players may hold one or more non-WR nationalities.

Most points

Source:
RankPlayerClubPoints
1

Most tries

Source:
RankPlayerClubTries
1