Rugby: Split plans for rugby set-up

MOVES are afoot to reorganise Scottish premiership rugby with an innovative scheme involving a split during the campaign.

The Evening News has learned of plans to create two leagues of 12 teams playing each other once.

Then, the top eight would break off into a elite division, with the next four facing the leading four from the second division. The remaining eight teams would make up the final group.

A total of 18 games would be required to determine the champions and the leading four would enter the British and Irish Cup. It is hoped the new set-up can win approval from the SRU's annual meeting in June in time to be implemented for 2010-11 but a rough ride is expected by proponents.

Some are anticipating that smaller outfits will see the plan as the first steps towards an elite tier embracing semi-professionalism and attempt to block any schism.

However, it is also being argued that the new arrangement would streamline the season and prevent fixtures being dragged out into the late spring especially if the successful B&I Cup is to remain part of the rugby calendar.