2021/22 Men’s & Women’s Tennent’s Leagues and Youth & Schools fixtures confirmed

Scottish Rugby has today published the club, youth and adult fixtures for the upcoming 2021/22 season.

Earlier this month, Scottish Rugby confirmed that following consultation with clubs and schools, the Scottish Rugby Board approved the recommendation made by the Council for the Tennent’s Leagues (Men’s and Women’s) along with the Youth and School Conferences to recommence in September 2021.

Opening fixtures of the Tennent’s leagues will take place from 4 September 2021.

In the Men’s league structure, the Tennent’s Premiership will see two local derbies start the season with Borders sides Jed-Forest RFC opening their campaign against Selkirk RFC and Marr RFC playing Glasgow Hawks RFC in the west.

Musselburgh RFC face GHA RFC and Edinburgh Academicals FC travel to Aberdeen Grammar Rugby, with Hawick RFC hosting Currie Chieftains in the other Premiership matches.

Following the opportunity presented to clubs to request moving down a league level following the Covid-19 pandemic there are changes to the league structures.

Carrick RFC and Caithness RFC men’s 1^stXVs have elected to step down from National League Division 3 to their respective League Division 1 competitions. No teams have moved up to replace them, therefore creating a 10-team league for National 3 for the coming season.

Below National 3 the leagues remain in separate regional competitions.

Despite the challenges presented by Covid-19 in the last 15 months, the women’s game has grown exponentially.

As a result, seven new teams from across the country are set to enter the Tennent’s League structure for the upcoming season.

Women’s 1^stXV teams from Dunfermline RFC, Dundee Valkyries, Strathmore RFC, Fraserburgh RFC, Bishopton RFC and Caithness RFC will transition into the competitive league structure from their previous regional development structure.

Cartha Queen’s Park also see the addition of their first Women’s 2^ndXV enter the competitive set-up.

Further changes are reflected following the decision to accept the request from Ayr Rugby Women’s 1^stXV to step down from the Premiership to National League Division 1 and their place in the Premiership offered and accepted by Heriot’s Women’s 1^stXV having been the runner up in the Premiership Play Off in Season 2019.

Oban Lorne Women’s 1^stXV have also stepped down from National League Division 1 to West Regional League Division 1 and their place in National 1 is being taken by Kelso Women’s 1^stXV as runners up in the Regional Play Off Final in Season 2019.

The upcoming season for the school game includes eight Schools Conferences for boys at U13, U14, U15, U16 and U18 levels in: Borders Town, Caledonia A, East A, East B, East C, East Development, West A and West B.

Outcomes from the above Conferences will determine progression to the National Schools Cup and Shield competitions, set to take place between January and March 2022.

School Conference fixtures were communicated to participating schools on Monday 14 June and can be found HERE.

Scottish Rugby’s Director of Rugby Development, Sheila Begbie said: “I’m so pleased we are able to confirm the Youth and Schools and adult fixtures for the upcoming season. We know players, coaches and volunteers have been looking forward to getting back to the sport they love and now it is at last in sight.

“It has been an exciting few months seeing the domestic game come back to life as training and friendly fixtures have resumed across the country. To see all this activity met with such enthusiasm from clubs, schools and players has been really heartening.

“Whilst we still need to remain cautious because of the nature of coronavirus, today is a positive step forward towards what we hope will be an enthralling season of rugby.”

Should any club have any issues regarding ground availability for any match, or should a team wish to fulfil their fixture at an alternative day or time (for example, a Friday night or mid-week), they are asked to contact their opponents and mutually agree to alternative arrangements.

For clubs with teams currently in their early stages of development, Scottish Rugby will work with them individually to compose a series of development fixtures that reflect their development plans so will be in touch via their Regional Managers. Any issues or queries regarding fixtures to be sent to [email protected].