Kirkcaldy Rugby Club’s league season is called off

The body’s board took on board recommendations from The Scottish Rugby Council, who were supported by the Championship Committee and the Rugby Development department, in reaching out to clubs over the summer to gather feedback, suggestions and share views on the challenges faced in returning to rugby.

Following those recommendations, and recognising the exceptional circumstances and challenges that the Coronavirus pandemic has created for the game, the Board has suspended the National and Regional Competitions for season 2020/21.

Instead the Blues will compete in a separate series of competitions designed to support teams returning to the field to play against neighbours, local rivals or smaller clusters of teams.

The competitions vary slightly from one another and take account of the feedback received from the clubs, teams and players involved, as well as the Scottish Rugby Council’s recommendations.

The Tennent’s Premiership with National League Division 1, and National League Division 2 – in which Kirkcaldy play – with National League Division 3 teams, will be split across two competitions culminating in three finals at BT Murrayfield.

The Women’s Tennent’s Premiership and Women’s National League Division 1 teams will participate in a single competition, which will also culminate in two finals at BT Murrayfield.

Men’s and Women’s Regional Division teams will participate in a series of regional or local competitions, whilst for Season 2020/21 boys’ and girls’ schools and youth rugby will also be different.

Work is now underway to finalise the fixture schedule and underlying competition rules which will be released following the next Scottish Government update today (September 10).

Scottish Rugby is hopeful of a return to competitive rugby on Saturday, October 31, but this date is subject to change , depending on public health guidelines from the Scottish Government.