Scottish Rugby has today announced the return of the popular non-contact rugby programme, Papa Johns Tartan Touch with a record number of hubs.

Running between May and July, Tartan Touch is designed to provide a simplified version of rugby with the aim of attracting players of all abilities, ages and levels of experience who are looking to improve their fitness, begin their rugby journey or return to the sport, through simple and social activity.

This year’s programme will see 70 clubs operate as Tartan Touch hubs throughout the summer, with a record number of successful applicants being chosen, including 22 newly established hubs.

Many congratulations to 70 hubs on their selection this year! We can't wait to see Tartan Touch back up and running this summer!

Whilst the Guinness Six Nations takes a break this weekend, there is plenty of rugby to be enjoyed across the country as the Tennent's Leagues, Sarah Beaney Cup and Youth competitions continue to play out.

By late Saturday afternoon, this year's Tennent's Men's Premiership finalists will be confirmed after our two semi-final matches, played at Malleny Park and Manfield Park, take place.

Tennent's Men's Premiership semi-finals
Currie Chieftains v Edinburgh Academical, KO 3pm
Hawick v Marr, KO 3pm

The Men's National, Regional and Reserve leagues will also continue alongside the next round of the Sarah Beaney Cup in the women's game. 

Good luck to everyone taking part this weekend, we hope your players, match officials and volunteers have another great weekend!

Scottish Rugby will host a Community Game Conference for club, school, and society representatives on Sunday 11 June 2023 at BT Murrayfield.

Building on the success of last year’s Game Development Conference, attended by over 250 coaches and match officials from across the domestic game, this year’s conference will also include sessions for club, school and society leaders and volunteers.

Further details of sessions and guest speakers along with registration details for the conference will be confirmed later in Spring.

Click below to view highlights from last year’s Game Development Conference.

The Scottish Government (SG) has published a public consultation on potential alcohol advertising and promoting restrictions in Scotland. 

The SG committed to consulting and engaging on a range of potential measures, including mandatory restrictions on alcohol marketing, in their Alcohol Framework 2018.

The consultation paper, available here, is wide ranging and covers potential restrictions on all of the major sources of alcohol advertising and promotion in Scotland, including advertising outdoors, in-store, and through sports and events sponsorship. Clearly, this could have serious financial implications for rugby clubs and the Government is keen to hear your views. 

An Easy Read version of the consultation paper has been produced and can be accessed here.

Scottish Rugby invites clubs to consider responding to the consultation via Citizen Space using the following link: https://consult.gov.scot/alcohol-policy/alcohol-advertising-and-promotion. You can save and return to your responses while the consultation is still open.

Please note the consultation will close on Thursday 9 March.

If you have any questions regarding any of the above please contact rugbydevelopmentadmin@sru.org.uk.