2nd XV Leagues in Scotland
Encyclopedia
There are three organisations operating 2nd XV Leagues in Scotland. These are (by membership size):
In addition, a small competition is organised exclusively for 3rd (and some 4th) XVs:
2nd XV rugby union (that is, matches for teams involving players not picked for their club's first team) is popular in Scotland, due to the amateur and social nature of the game. Most clubs run 2nd XV teams of one sort of another, although not all of these participate in leagues. The largest clubs (usually based in the cities) often have the player pool and finance to run 2nd, 3rd and even 4th XVs (and in very occasional circumstances even 5th and 6th XVs have been known). Smaller clubs may only occasionally be able to form 2nd XVs, and the smallest clubs will not have any kind of team apart from their first team. Many smaller clubs only play 2nd XV friendlies, when they can raise a team.
Often, if a friendly is to be played, it is convenient to arrange it with the same opponents as the first team that weekend. Thus if team A are at home to team B on a main pitch, A's 2nd XV may well be playing a friendly v B's 2nd XV on a back pitch nearby. Or B's second XV may host A's second XV, if back pitches are not available. However, organised 2nd XV leagues operate on a pre-decided schedule.
Some clubs that have amalgamated keep a 2nd XV team utilising the name of one of the former clubs.
Note that a small number of clubs run 2nd XVs in the following leagues which include first team clubs as well:
University rugby in Scotland, including that for 2nd, 3rd and 4th XVs, is organised separately (although Edinburgh University run 2nd and 3rd XVs in The Scottish 2nd XV League
. For information on this aspect of the domestic game, and details on Women's 2nd XVs, see University Leagues in Scotland
.
- Scottish Reserve League (involving some 3rd XVs)
- the Edinburgh & Lothian 2nd XV League (also involving some 3rd XVs)
- the Borders Championship
In addition, a small competition is organised exclusively for 3rd (and some 4th) XVs:
- the East of Scotland 3rd XV LeagueEast of Scotland 3rd XV LeagueThe East of Scotland 3rd XV League was a Scottish-based amateur rugby union league founded in 2000. It was first known as the Turnup League, but assumed its current title at the beginning of the 2001/02 season....
2nd XV rugby union (that is, matches for teams involving players not picked for their club's first team) is popular in Scotland, due to the amateur and social nature of the game. Most clubs run 2nd XV teams of one sort of another, although not all of these participate in leagues. The largest clubs (usually based in the cities) often have the player pool and finance to run 2nd, 3rd and even 4th XVs (and in very occasional circumstances even 5th and 6th XVs have been known). Smaller clubs may only occasionally be able to form 2nd XVs, and the smallest clubs will not have any kind of team apart from their first team. Many smaller clubs only play 2nd XV friendlies, when they can raise a team.
Often, if a friendly is to be played, it is convenient to arrange it with the same opponents as the first team that weekend. Thus if team A are at home to team B on a main pitch, A's 2nd XV may well be playing a friendly v B's 2nd XV on a back pitch nearby. Or B's second XV may host A's second XV, if back pitches are not available. However, organised 2nd XV leagues operate on a pre-decided schedule.
Some clubs that have amalgamated keep a 2nd XV team utilising the name of one of the former clubs.
Note that a small number of clubs run 2nd XVs in the following leagues which include first team clubs as well:
- Grampian Alliance LeagueGrampian Alliance LeagueThe Grampian Alliance League was a small rugby union competition participated in by clubs in the Grampian region. Together with the Highland Alliance League, it was one of the few remaining leagues not part of the Scottish rugby union system, and therefore neither it nor its clubs were part of the...
- Highland Alliance LeagueHighland Alliance LeagueThe Highland Alliance League, is a small rugby union competition participated in by clubs in the far north of Scotland. Together with the Grampian Alliance League, it is one of the few remaining leagues not part of the Scottish rugby union system, and therefore neither it nor its clubs are part of...
University rugby in Scotland, including that for 2nd, 3rd and 4th XVs, is organised separately (although Edinburgh University run 2nd and 3rd XVs in The Scottish 2nd XV League
The Scottish 2nd XV League
The Scottish Reserve League is the largest of the three organisations operating 2nd XV Leagues in Scotland. Originally all 2nd XV rugby union league matches were played under the auspices of the Scottish 2nd XV League, however in recent years a number of breakaways have occurred - clubs in the...
. For information on this aspect of the domestic game, and details on Women's 2nd XVs, see University Leagues in Scotland
University Leagues in Scotland
University rugby union in Scotland is predominantly organised through BUCS, the British Universities Sports Association. Unlike in England and Wales, where a pyramid system of 4 regions and a Premier above exists, the Scottish system is separate...
.