THE mini-league between the Fosroc Super 6 teams and the top half-dozen clubs from the Welsh Premiership will kick off at the end of April, with the three Edinburgh franchises all at home on the opening weekend and Ayr, the Southern Knights and Stirling County all travelling to Wales. Each team will play once against each team from the other country, with three games being at home and another three away.
It is expected that the usual match-point system will be used in the competition, but that and other details have yet to be announced. It is also likely that there will be one winner at the end of the mini-league and that there will not be play-offs or a final.
“We’re delighted to be able to announce these fixtures alongside the WRU,” Super 6 tournament director Stephen Gemmill said. “The tournament will provide our six teams with quality opposition against their experienced Welsh counterparts and will make for some intense, physical and, I am sure, entertaining rugby. Our clubs have enjoyed similar cross border matches in the old B&I Cup and these new fixtures are a great addition to our Super6 calendar and will provide a significant challenge for the players and coaches of all of our teams.”
Jonathan Jones, who is chair of the Premiership clubs and of Ebbw Vale, said: “We’re really excited about this opportunity of cross-border competition against these Scottish teams. It is a welcome new addition to our season for everyone involved. As a club we have an old friendship with Watsonians, which we are looking forward to renewing.”
Cross-Border fixtures 2020
April 25: Watsonians v Cardiff, Heriot’s v Llandovery, Boroughmuir Bears v Merthyr, Ebbw Vale v Southern Knights, Pontypridd v Ayrshire Bulls, Aberavon v Stirling County.
May 2nd: Watsonians v Ebbw Vale, Heriot’s v Aberavon, Ayrshire Bulls v Llandovery, Cardiff v Boroughmuir Bears, Pontypridd v Stirling County, Merthyr v Southern Knghts.
May 9th: Watsonians v Pontypridd, Heriot’s v Cardiff, Stirling County v Merthyr, Ebbw Vale v Ayrshire Bulls, Llandovery v Southern Knights, Aberavon v Boroughmuir Bears.
May 16th: Southern Knights v Aberavon, Boroughmuir Bears v Pontypridd, Stirling County v Llandovery, Cardiff v Ayrshire Bulls, Merthyr v Watsonians, Ebbw Vale v Heriot’s.
May 23rd: Southern Knights v Cardiff, Ayrshrie Bulls v Merthyr, Stirling County v Ebbw Vale, Aberavon v Watsonians, Pontypridd v Heriot’s, Llandovery v Boroughmuir Bears.
May 30th: Southern Knights v Pontypridd, Borouhgmuir Bears v Ebbw Vale, Ayrshire Bulls v Aberavon, Llandovery v Watsonians, Merthyr v Heriot’s, Cardiff v Stirling County.
Yawn. Another made up competition for made up teams
Got a feeling you yearn for a return to the good old days of “Closed Shop/FP Clubs” Unofficial Championship.