The Scotsman reports
GRAHAM BEAN

LEADING clubs in Premier Division 2 could find themselves playing for nothing but pride next season if a plan to suspend promotion wins approval.

A new league structure is set to be introduced from season 2006-07 which would see Division 1 reduced from 12 teams to ten. In order to cut the number of clubs in the top flight, Boroughmuir have proposed two teams be relegated at the end of the 2005-06 season with none promoted from Division 2. Watsonians have seconded the amendment.

The issue will be voted on at the Scottish Rugby Union's annual general meeting at Murrayfield later this month and is certain to be contested by Division 2 clubs who will argue that the two Edinburgh clubs are putting self-preservation ahead of the game's greater good.

In a separate amendment, Boroughmuir have proposed that play-offs between Divisions 1 and 2 be introduced from the end of season 2006-07. Under the terms of the proposal, automatic relegation and promotion would continue for the clubs finishing top and bottom of the respective leagues, but those finishing second top and second bottom would meet in a home-and-away play-off with the aggregate winner going into the top flight. Once again, Watsonians have seconded the amendment.

Clubs attending the agm on 24 June will vote on a new structure for the club game which was devised by a working party chaired by former Scotland back-row forward John Jeffrey.

The motion, proposed by the SRU committee, is broadly similar to the current set-up, with three Premiership divisions. While the top league would be reduced from 12 to ten teams, Divisions 2 and 3 would retain 12 member clubs.

Below that there would be three National League divisions of 12 clubs and three regionalised divisions of ten clubs. Kinross RFC would prefer to see four National League divisions below Premier level and have submitted an amendment to that effect which has been seconded by Lenzie RFC.

The Club Competitions Working Party favours completing the Division 1 league season before the turn of the year, with cup competitions scheduled for the remainder of the season. It is hoped this will help leading clubs cope with the demands on their players from pro sides and Scotland Sevens and age-grade teams which tend to increase from January onwards.

It is also proposed that a new national Plate competition be introduced to supplement the existing Cup, Shield and Bowl.

Boroughmuir have submitted an amendment calling from Premier 1 clubs to enter the national cup competition in the fourth round instead of the third to ease fixture congestion.

This article was posted on 8-Jun-2005, 09:08 by Hugh Barrow.