Scottish Rugby has confirmed there will be a national competitive league structure for the 2021-22 season, following a consultation with clubs and schools across the country.
Tennent's leagues for men and women and youth and school conferences will start in September, and the aim is to include promotion and relegation.
There will be an option for clubs to step down into a lower league due to changes in player numbers, and it is anticipated that fixtures will be issued in the week beginning June 21.
The Rugby Development department, supported by the Scottish Rugby Board, Council and Championship committee, contacted clubs in the spring to gather feedback on two season structure proposals to restart competitive rugby once lockdown restrictions had eased.
Option A was for a national league structure with promotion and relegation, and option B was for a regional league structure with no promotion or relegation.
From the 252 responses returned, 63 per cent of clubs and schools opted for option A.
Further discussion between the Board and Council, following consultation with the Championship Committee included fixture rescheduling as a consequence of any future restrictions imposed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Providing at least 65 per cent of all league fixtures have been fulfilled, promotion and relegation within the leagues will be applied.
Should the total number of completed fixtures fall below 65 per cent, the season will be concluded and there will be no promotion or relegation.
Delivery of the Tennent's Leagues is priority for Scottish Rugby, and cup competition details and fixtures will not be confirmed until later in the season, when they can be confident that the 65 per cent target can be achieved.
Scottish Rugby's director of rugby development, Sheila Begbie, said: "We are extremely grateful to the clubs who responded to our survey as it has been fundamental in informing the decision-making process.
"We anticipate that a number of clubs will wish to review their position and may request to step down into a lower league following changes to their squads or player numbers.
"As a result, we anticipate publishing fixtures week beginning 21 June having received and considered any and all requests.
"It has been really encouraging to see clubs and schools return to rugby activity over the last few months, and especially recent weeks as all ages can now resume contact training.
"I am really pleased we can provide our clubs and schools with clarity on how we can return to competitive rugby in the months ahead. I wish everyone well in their preparations for the new season.”
Scottish Rugby president, Ian Barr said: “On behalf of the Council I’d like to thank everyone from across the game who shared their views and insight to enable us to have a clear competition structure at every level, across the whole country, for rugby to resume fully when safe to do so."
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