FIXTURES have been announced for Cumbrian Rugby clubs to play in their new cluster league as a replacement competition during the Covid restrictions.

All six Cumbrian and Lancashire clubs have agreed to the new friendly league.

Participants include Kendal, Kirkby Lonsdale, Blackburn, Preston Grasshoppers, Rossendale and Vale of Lune.

Clubs have come together to create a light contact league, similar in structure to the local derby, to potentially create small groups of clubs that will return to play by January 23, 2021.

Kendal RUFC Director of Rugby Chris Hayton said: “We are very happy that everyone is getting involved. That was the first thing we needed, because everyone had to agree to the new plan. It’s good they all have now,

“Some of it still depends on the Government’s upcoming announcements on the Tier system.

“But this gives us the chance to play from January 23 onwards.

“As a club we have started some contact training again. The rules have been modified for the new league. No scrums, no mauls.

"However, the lads will be very happy to get back to it. We can’t wait to get started.”