Fixture dates 2011-12

In perhaps the most remarkable symbol of the new world we have joined since the "merger" between RFU and RFUW, the dates for club, county and divisional fixtures for next season have been published - at least six months earlier than RFUW ever managed on their own (indeed it has not been unknown in the past for the structure to not be finalised until after the season had started!).

Club training/matches: Sept 4*, 11*, 18*; Oct 2, 9, 23, 30; Nov 13, 20, 27; Dec 4, 18; Jan 1*, 8, 15, 29; Feb 5, 26; Mar 4, 11 (U15 only), 18, 25(U18 only); Apr 8*, 15 (Easter), 22, 29 (*= training only)

County: Sept 25 (training/development/trials); Oct 16 (match); Nov 6 (match); Dec 11 (match)

Division: Jan 22 (trials); Feb 12 (training), 19 (match); Mar 11 (U18 match); 25 (U15 training); Apr 1 (U15 tournament, U18 match)

Nationals 7s: May 8

Divisional dates will also, obviously, be used for club fixtures and training - but not for league matches as the "Youth Structured Season" booklet also says that "Club and cluster matches should take place on Club Training or Match (CMT) dates only" (ie. the club dates above).

The major things to note are the extra county fixture (but the lack of any training dates); that the number of club weekends is roughly that same, and that the National 7s is at the start of May - which implies a Herts 7s on 29th April... unless RFUW change their minds again!