The Scottish Inter-district Championship is set to return in May 2023

The move to bring back the historic competition was made following an amended motion presented by GHA at the Scottish Rugby AGM in July 2021, where 72 clubs to 46 voted in favour to revive the tournament.

The competition, which was first established in 1953, used to be competed for annually in the amateur era by Edinburgh, Glasgow, the South, the North and Midlands and, laterally, the Scottish Exiles.

The Inter-district Championship continued to be played at the amateur level until 2002 with players selected to represent Glasgow, Caledonia, Edinburgh and the Scottish Exiles.

In the revived format, four men’s teams from across the country – Caledonia, Edinburgh, Glasgow and West & the South – will compete in two fixtures later this year.

Subject to eligibility criteria, players will be selected from across the National Leagues.

Each team – which will be referred to as a District – has established a working committee to oversee the appointment of coaching and management personnel.

The tournament, which is overseen by Scottish Rugby and delivered by the four committees aims to:

• recognise players who have consistently performed with distinction for their club and provide them with an opportunity to represent their district;
• provide an avenue for clubs to work in collaboration, strengthen relationships, and celebrate rugby in the region;
• offer selected players and coaches a development opportunity through a higher standard of competition and;
• provide a future selection vehicle for the Scotland Club XV International representative.

In the first round of competition, Caledonia will host Glasgow & West and The South will host Edinburgh.

The winners of each fixture will play the following week in an Inter-district Final and the remaining two teams play in a third/fourth place play-off. Dates and venues will be confirmed at a later date this Spring.

Keith Wallace, Scottish Rugby Vice President said: “I am delighted to announce this new tournament which drew strong support from clubs at a previous AGM, together with a lot of enthusiasm from players.”

Further details regarding the Scottish Inter-district Championship will be shared with clubs in due course by each District Committee.