‘Positive step’ as 2020/21 season games announced

The SR U has released the fixture lists for men’s, women’s, girls, schools and youth competitions as it still aims to get the domestic game up and running on Saturday 31 October.

As indicated during updates on its roadmap, a regionalised structure will replace the national set-up this season in response to the C ovid -19 pandemic which led to the 2019/20 season being scrapped.

The Tennent’s Premiership and National 1 teams have merged into regionalised clusters off our conferences in Stage 1 with Marr – who had a historic title within their grasp when the shutdown hit – hosting Glasgow Hawks on the indicative opening day of the season at the end of next month.

In Stage 1 teams will play each other within the same conference before a more national second stage leading into play-offs and a final.

Below that will be a National 2 competition along similar lines then regional competitions for North, Midlands, East and West.

SRU director of development Sheila B egbie said: “It is really pleasing to be able to share the fixture list for the 2020/21 season with all our clubs and schools today. It marks a very positive step and one that I know a great many people have contributed to across the game, and in our Rugby Development department.

“We are still taking a cautious approach and are committed to supporting public health guidelines set out by the government.”