The 2001-02 Zurich Premiership was the 15th season of the top flight of the English domestic rugby union competitions. Leeds Tykes were promoted to replace the relegated Rotherham. Halfway through the season, with Leicester odds-on to win their fourth title in succession, it was decided that the winners of the playoffs would be crowned champions. After a public outcry at moving the goalposts halfway through the tournament, this was not followed through. Instead, they launched the Zurich Championship, a play off competition involving 8 teams below the champions, providing the winner with a 'wildcard' European qualification. Leicester did finish top of the league and were crowned champions; their fourth title in succession and their sixth overall. Gloucester won the eight team Zurich Championship play-offs in 2001–02. Leeds Tykes finished bottom of the table but avoided relegation due to the inadequacies of Rotherham's ground. Participating teams Table Results Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 Week 6 Week 7 Week 8 Week 9 Week 10 Week 11 Week 12 Week 13 Week 14 Week 15 Week 16 Week 17 Week 18 Week 19 Week 20 Week 21 Week 22 Week 23 Week 24 Playoff Seeding Quarter-finals Semi-finals Final 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 have not earned international senior caps. Players may hold one or more non-WR nationalities. Most points Source: Most tries Source: Total Season Attendances References 2001-02 England