Southland's 2020 premier club rugby competition is set to be made up of 10 teams.

Last year Rugby Southland implemented an expanded 12-team premier competition, effectively merging the former premier and division one competitions.

Although Waikaka and Riversdale has this year opted to pull out of the expanded premier competition, and instead play in a 10-team division one competition.

The 10 premier clubs confirmed will now play each other in a round-robin format before splitting into the top five [Galbraith Shield] and bottom five [Ack Soper] competitions.

Those five teams will then play each other in another round-robin format, with cross-over games included to ensure there are no byes.

Competition points from the cross-over games will apply.

The premier season will start on March 28 with finals to be played on July 11.

On top of the Galbraith Shield and Ack Soper Shields that are at stake, will be plenty of Southland Stags Mitre 10 Cup contracts.

Stags coach Dale MacLeod said there were 16 spots open for players to impress through club rugby.

He acknowledged some players from outside the province would be heading south for a crack at the Stags, but they will need to prove themselves through club rugby before getting a contract.

"If I'm being real honest, I watched club footy last year and I was a bit disappointed with what some of our boys delivered and how they fronted up in the club comp.

"That won't be tolerated this year, they will need to be our best performers," MacLeod said.

ARTICLE ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED BY LOGAN SAVORY/SOUTHLAND TIMES 

Article added: Tuesday 11 February 2020