League structures announced by RFU
The RFU has released the league structures for next season.
After having to curtail this campaign with a handful of matches remaining due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the final tables were calculated on a best playing record formula in order to maintain promotion and relegation throughout the pyramid.
Having been ratified by the RFU Council, South West RFU Competitions could start planning for next season and the SW Competitions Committee have been able to approve the league make-up via a video conference. There is no indication yet as to when the season may start and until then it is unlikely that any fixtures will be created.
Keynsham will remain in South
West 1 West after finishing ninth last season and will face Bridgwater & Albion, Chew Valley, Crediton, Devonport Services, Lydney, Newent, North Petherton, Old Patesians, Sidmouth, St Austell, Stroud, Thornbury and Wellington.
Dorset & Wilts 1 North champions Avonvale, Combe Down, Corsham and Walcot will all meet in Southern Counties South after Combe finished sixth, Walcot ninth and Corsham tenth.
They will also face Devizes, Dorchester, Salisbury, Swanage & Wareham, Swindon, Swindon College Old Boys, Wimborne and Yeovil.
Avon, Oldfield Old Boys and Stothert & Pitt will collide again in Somerset Premier after finishing fifth, sixth and ninth respectively. They will come up against Bristol
Harlequins, Crewkerne, Hornets 2nd, Imperial, Minehead Barbarians, Nailsea & Backwell, St Bernadettes Old Boys, Tor, Wells, Westonsuper-mare 2nd and Yatton.
Keynsham 2nd and Old Sulians remain in Somerset 1 and will face Bridgwater & Albion 2nd, Cheddar Valley, Chew Valley 2nd, Midsomer Norton 2nd, Morganians, Nailsea & Backwell 2nd, North Petherton 2nd, Old Redcliffians 2nd, Taunton 2nd and Wellington 2nd after finishing sixth and seventh.
Bath Old Edwardians were relegated from Somerset 1 and join Oldfield Old Boys 2nd, Somerset 3 North champions Stothert & Pitt 2nd and Walcot 2nd in Somerset 2 North. Alongside them will be Bristol Barbarians, Bristol Telephones, Clevedon 2nd, Gordano 2nd, Hornets 3rd, Old Redcliffians 3rd, Weston-super-mare 3rd and Yatton 2nd.
Keynsham 3rd finished sixth in Somerset 3 North and will meet Bristol Harlequins 2nd, Chew Valley 3rd, Gordano 3rd, Imperial 2nd, Nailsea & Backwell 3rd, Old Culver haysians, St Bernadettes Old Boys 2nd and Yatton 3rd.
Dorset & Wilts 3 North champions Bath Saracens will join Bradford on Avon and Combe Down 2nd in the newly formed Dorset & Wilts 2 Central. They will come up against Amesbury, Melksham 2nd,
North Dorset 2nd, Salisbury 3rd, Warminster 2nd and Wheatsheaf Cabin Crew.
In Dorset & Wilts 2 North, Colerne and Corsham 2nd will battle again alongside Chippenham 3rd, Cricklade, Devizes 2nd, Pewsey Vale, Royal Wootton Bassett 3rd, Supermarine and Swindon College Old Boys 2nd.
In line with government guidelines, as of Monday clubs have been able to open their facilities and players can engage in outdoor field-based individual training with members of their own household, or as part of a small group of up to six individuals from different households whilst staying two metres apart.
The RFU has advised that people should avoid mixing with too many people from outside their household in a short space of time. Any involvement of coaching personnel must be included as part of a group of six people and care should be taken at all times. Equipment, including rugby balls, should not be shared with anyone outside of a person’s household, and they’re should be no physical contact.
Each club has been asked to make individual decisions about when their facilities are ready to open and can be operated safely, otherwise it should remain closed. Facilities can only be opened for access to toilets and to serve takeaway food and drink.
The RFU is hoping to release details of the steps they’re hoping to take to try and reboot rugby, whilst looking at the impact on restarting adult and age grade competitions.