The fixtures for the 2026-2027 club rugby season have been officially released. This includes the schedules for the Arnold Clark Men’s and Women’s Premierships, as well as youth and adult leagues across Scotland. The comprehensive announcement covers National Leagues 1 through 4, Regional Leagues, and various Reserve Leagues.
Upcoming Matches
The Arnold Clark Men’s Premiership will kick off on Saturday, August 29, with all five matches starting at 3 PM. The reigning champions, Ayr RFC, will defend their title at home against Watsonian FC. Newly-promoted Edinburgh Accies will face Kelso RFC in their return to the top flight. Other matches include:
- GHA RFC vs. Melrose
- Currie Chieftains vs. Glasgow Hawks RFC
- Heriot’s Rugby vs. Hawick RFC
In the Arnold Clark Women’s Premiership, Stirling County RFC, the current champions, will play against Cartha Queens Park RFC. The women’s league will maintain its previous format, where each team plays against all others once. This will be followed by a split, leading to a final showdown between the top two teams to secure the championship.
New Developments for the Season
This season will introduce several significant changes. The top four teams from the Arnold Clark Men’s Premiership will qualify for the Scottish Cup quarter-finals. The National League Cup remains unchanged, while the Inter District Championship will occur in November. Additionally, a match featuring the Scotland Club XV against Ireland is planned during the Guinness Men’s Six Nations period.
Women’s National League
A new Women’s National League has been launched to foster a competitive environment for clubs and players aiming for top-level rugby. This initiative is a crucial step in advancing women’s rugby in Scotland.
Youth and Schools Competitions
Enhancements have also been made to youth and school competitions in response to feedback from clubs and educational institutions. The refreshed Girls’ U16 and U18 competitions aim to support the growing number of female participants. Following a successful pilot program, the Open Competition will expand to feature 12 environments, reflecting the increasing strength of school and youth rugby.
The Boy’s U16 and U18 Open Competition will commence on August 29, with matches including Strathallan School hosting Glenalmond College, among others. Vicky Cox, Head of Competitions & Compliance at Scottish Rugby, emphasized the significance of these fixtures and the dedication of the clubs involved.
Conclusion
The 2026-2027 club rugby season promises to be an exciting period filled with competitive opportunities. The full list of fixtures is available in the Club Rugby section on the El-Balad website, marking a new chapter in Scottish rugby history.
