RHC, which emerged from the amalgamation of Royal High School FP and Corstorphine RFC, have decided to go their separate ways again and although RHC will continue in existence, they do not have a large enough squad of players at the moment to compete in National 3 and wish to be relegated to BT Edinburgh Region 1. The split faction, who have retained the bulk of RHC's players, are forming a new club called Barnton RFC and in accordance with Scottish Rugby's rules, will have to start at the bottom of the competitive league structure in their region.

The end result of a lot of negotiations and discussions is that Perthshire have won back their place in National 3.

This gives Perthshire Rugby a superb opportunity to show that last season's results were a one off. The young players who experienced senior rugby for the first time last season now know the standard they have to set themselves and the coaches are relishing the challenge of getting them to the level of competiveness required. It was only two years ago that Rory McKay took them to the top half of the league and everything is now being geared up to repeat this challenge.

All older players who were thinking of hanging up their boots this season are being urged to think again and support their club in what will be a huge challenge. In recent years many Colts players have left the club that spawned them without playing for the senior club and anyone wishing to further their rugby career need look no further than our former players such as James Fleming, Rory Carmichael, Jack Steele, Tony McGuiness, Erlend Oag and many many more who stayed with Shire and played several seasons with them to obtain experience before moving to international, professional and premier level rugby.

Please help your club to make the most of this chance they have been given.