THE Inter-District Championship will return for the 2023/24 season, with fixtures and coaching teams for the four districts named.

This season, the four districts – Edinburgh, Glasgow & West, Caledonia Reds and the South – will play in a round robin format. The dates for the fixtures are as below:

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Round 1 (22/23/24 March 2024): Edinburgh v the South; Glasgow & the West v Caledonia Reds

Round 2 (29/30/31 March 2024): Edinburgh v Caledonia Reds; the South v Glasgow & the West

Round 3 (05/06/07 April 2024): Glasgow & the West v Edinburgh; Caledonia Reds v the South

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Hawick’s Matty Douglas will continue in his role as head coach for the South district.

The 28-year-old will be joined by three new coaches from the Borders including Iain Chisholm, of Melrose, who will coach the backs/attack. Selkirk’s Gordon Henderson and Kelso’s Bruce McNeil will share responsibilities in coaching the forwards.

Douglas said: “It’s great to be involved with the South for another season and heading into another Inter District Championship as head coach.

"The players and management team really bought into the shortened competition last season along with the whole of the region and getting over 1,500 supporters at Netherdale on a Tuesday night was a great experience to be involved in.

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“We were disappointed to lose out in the final and are eager to get cracking again in March. Having added Bruce McNeil and Gordon Henderson and with Iain Chisholm continuing his role we have a great coaching team with a wealth of experience so we will be looking to be as competitive as we can. I’m sure the buy in will be second to none and we can’t wait to get started.”

Team selections will be made and announced in the New Year.

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

Each team – which is referred to as a district – has established a working committee to oversee the appointment of coaching and management personnel. The tournament, 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

Scottish Rugby’s head of competitions and compliance, Vicky Cox, continues her role as tournament director, as appointed by the four districts.

On the announcement of the competition’s return, she said: “Following the successful reinstatement of the competition, we look forward to delivering an expanded Inter-District Championship in 2024.

“The change in format allows both for increased game time and allows our clubs and communities more opportunities to enjoy the games.”