Fixtures finalised for ‘post-split’ season

Fixtures have been sent to clubs in RBS Premier 1 and 2 for the second half of the season as the top two divisions split into three. With the club structure reorganising again next season, there is plenty at stake in all three sections.

Fixtures in Premier A, B and C have now been finalised and the SRU’s championship committee has thanked clubs for their support for the principle that there should be an equitable split between home and away matches.

The top eight clubs in Premier A retain their points from RBS Premier 1 and are now fighting for both the championship title and three places in the British & Irish Cup next season.

The top eight are Melrose, Gala, Dundee HSFP, Currie, Stirling County, Ayr, Aberdeen Grammar and Boroughmuir.

Clubs in Premier B – the bottom four clubs in RBS Premier 1 (Heriot’s, Glasgow Hawks, Edinburgh Accies and Hawick) and the top four in RBS Premier 2 (Stewart’s Melville, Watsonians, Jed-Forest and Hamilton – lose their points from the first half of the season as they are now effectively in a new competition.

The top two sides at the end of Premier B will play in the new-look ten team Premiership next season. The bottom six in Premier B will be in the new-look ten team National League next season. The best-placed RBS Premier 2 club in Premier B will be crowned RBS Premier 2 winners.

The clubs in Premier C (Selkirk, Kelso, Biggar, Falkirk, Hillhead/Jordanhill, Whitecraigs, West of Scotland and Peebles) will retain their points from RBS Premier 2.

The top four clubs at the end of Premier C will be in the ten-team National League next season. The bottom four will be in the newly constituted 20-team regionalised Championship next season.

RBS Premier 3, which currently sees Dumfries one point ahead of Howe of Fife, carries on as normal until the end of the season.

Colin Thomson, the SRU’s head of community rugby, said: “There will be a terrific finale to the season in all three leagues with so much to play for.

“We’ve seen some exciting and well-crafted rugby across these divisions already this season and, with the fixtures now set out for the sharp end of the season, competition will only intensify.”

Between now and Premier A, B and C beginning on Saturday 14 January, clubs will be engaged in RBS knockout competitions with Melrose, Currie and Ayr also involved in the British & Irish Cup.