Scottish rugby union system
Encyclopedia
The top level of competition in the Scottish rugby union system is the Celtic League
which is a league of professional clubs from Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Scotland currently has two clubs in the Celtic League; Edinburgh Rugby and Glasgow Warriors
. They also participate in the Heineken Cup
.
The Scottish Rugby Union
administer Scotland's domestic competitions. The Scottish League Championship is split into:
An annual cup tournament, the Scottish Cup, is held involving all league clubs, and some non-league clubs who form teams specially for the competition. However, this practice is becoming uncommon. A one-off competition, the Scottish SuperCup, was played for by Premiership One teams only during season 2006-2007.
Scotland is also home to the oldest organised rugby union league in the world, the Border League
, which was formed in 1901. The Border League does not take part in the pyramid structure to the National League, but all of its clubs play in both. Two small independent leagues remain, with only a handful of members: the Grampian Alliance League
and the Highland Alliance League
. For university and 2nd and 3rd XV leagues, see University Leagues in Scotland
and 2nd XV Leagues in Scotland
.
There are a small number of women's leagues in operation - see University Leagues in Scotland
and SWRU League.
Celtic League (rugby union)
The Celtic League is an annual rugby union competition involving professional sides from Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales....
which is a league of professional clubs from Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Scotland currently has two clubs in the Celtic League; Edinburgh Rugby and Glasgow Warriors
Glasgow Warriors
The Glasgow Warriors, formerly Glasgow Rugby, are one of two professional rugby union teams in Scotland, Edinburgh being the other. They play in the RaboDirect Pro12 and their home ground is Firhill Stadium, also the home of Partick Thistle Football Club.-History:Glasgow Rugby were created to...
. They also participate in the Heineken Cup
Heineken Cup
The Heineken Cup is one of two annual rugby union competitions organised by European Rugby Cup involving leading club, regional and provincial teams from the six International Rugby Board countries in Europe whose national teams compete in the Six Nations Championship: England, France, Ireland,...
.
The Scottish Rugby Union
Scottish Rugby Union
The Scottish Rugby Union is the governing body of rugby union in Scotland. It is the second oldest Rugby Union, having been founded in 1873, as the Scottish Football Union.-History:...
administer Scotland's domestic competitions. The Scottish League Championship is split into:
- a Scottish Premiership level of three nationwide divisions
- a Scottish National Leagues level of three nationwide divisions
- three Scottish Regional Leagues. These are the Caledonia Regional Leagues, the East Regional Leagues and the West Regional Leagues.
An annual cup tournament, the Scottish Cup, is held involving all league clubs, and some non-league clubs who form teams specially for the competition. However, this practice is becoming uncommon. A one-off competition, the Scottish SuperCup, was played for by Premiership One teams only during season 2006-2007.
Scotland is also home to the oldest organised rugby union league in the world, the Border League
Border League
For the defunct baseball league, see Border League The Border League, is the oldest established rugby union league in the World, having been formed in 1901...
, which was formed in 1901. The Border League does not take part in the pyramid structure to the National League, but all of its clubs play in both. Two small independent leagues remain, with only a handful of members: the Grampian Alliance League
Grampian Alliance League
The 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...
and the Highland Alliance League
Highland Alliance League
The 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...
. For university and 2nd and 3rd XV leagues, 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...
and 2nd XV Leagues in Scotland
2nd XV Leagues in Scotland
There are three organisations operating 2nd XV Leagues in Scotland. These are :* Scottish Reserve League * the Edinburgh & Lothian 2nd XV League * the Borders Championship...
.
There are a small number of women's leagues in operation - 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...
and SWRU League.