As from the 2018/9 season the North West Intermediate leagues with be trailing a new format of the game. The season will see all team from the North West Premier down to division 2 play 13 a side. This will mean that no flankers will be required. The RFU hope to achieve after more flowing game from this. It is anticipated that the trial will last one season and dependant on results could then be adopted by world rugby and beyond.

Mr I Hadu from the RFU said, “ it’s been something we have considered for a while and we are very grateful to the North West Leagues for helping us with this trial, of course nothing is final, but let’s hope the trial goes well and we can start to roll this out nationally”.

The north west leagues would like to thank everyone involved in advance for their cooperation