RUGBY leagues could be split into regionalised groups in the 2020/21 season under new proposals from the Rugby Football Union.

The RFU has outlined three competition models for next season based on three different start windows depending on when it becomes safe to return to play..

Further details on exact start date windows are set to be published early this week.

The models vary according to league size and offer flexibility to manage any potential Covid-19 interruptions, with the season able to be extended to the end of May if it helps support delivery of a meaningful competition.

To further support clubs with flexibility, league rugby will be prioritised over Cup and County Championships.

What are the three models?

The three models are based on leagues being split into two regional conferences before the start of the season, i.e. a 14 team league will be split into two groups of seven teams.

In most cases the conferences will be organised geographically to keep travel down to a minimum in the early part of the season, which could also present the opportunity for more revenue generating derby/local fixtures and support player availability.

The first model is based on a start in window one, which would likely be near to the normal September start, with teams playing home and away in their group first, i.e. in a 14-team league separated into two groups of seven, teams would play 12 fixtures.

Teams would then play home and away against teams in the other group, meaning teams play a further 14 fixtures (26 fixtures in total).

The league winner will be the team with the best playing record from all league fixtures.

The second model is based on a start in window two, which may see a slightly delayed start, with teams playing home and away in their group first, i.e. in a 14-team league separated into two groups of seven, teams would again play 12 fixtures.

This time, teams would then play home or away against teams in the other group, meaning teams play a further seven fixtures (19 fixtures in total).

The league winner will again be the team with the best playing record from all league fixtures.

The third model is based on a start in window three, which would likely mean a significantly later start than normal, with teams playing home and away in their group first, i.e. in a 14-team league separated into two groups of seven, teams would play 12 fixtures.

Teams would not play anyone from the other conference, with a playoff game between the group winners to determine the league winner.

How would this work in practice?

For Tribute Western Counties West clubs, this would likely mean a geographic split of Falmouth, Newton Abbot, Paignton, Penryn, Teignmouth Truro and Wadebridge in one conference, with Bideford, Burnham on Sea, Chard, Honiton, Kingsbridge, Tiverton and Wiveliscombe in the other.

For clubs in the Cornwall/Devon League, this would see the seven Cornish clubs, namely Bude, Hayle, Liskeard-Looe, Newquay Hornets, Pirates Amateurs, Saltash and Veor, grouped into one conference, while the Devon clubs, namely Cullompton, North Tawton, Plymstock Albion Oaks, Tavistock, Topsham, Torquay Athletic and Withycombe, in the other conference.

In the South West Premier, Camborne would be grouped with Brixham, Exeter University, Exmouth, Ivybridge, Launceston and Okehampton, with Bournemouth, Drybrook, Hornets, Old Centralians, Old Redcliffians, Royal Wootton Bassett and Weston-super-Mare in the other conference.