DUNFERMLINE Rugby Club are on course to scrum down competitively for the first time in almost 18 months after fixtures for the upcoming season were revealed.

The McKane Park club, alongside Rosyth Sharks, saw their respective 2019/20 seasons brought to a halt in March last year after lockdown restrictions were imposed due to the outbreak of COVID-19.

All organised sporting activity, except adult indoor contact sports, has been permitted from level two of the Scottish Government's coronavirus protection levels – Fife is currently in level one – and that has allowed clubs such as Dunfermline to return to training.

However, they have not yet resumed playing competitive matches, but that looks set to change in September after Scottish Rugby unveiled their fixture schedule for season 2021/22.

The board of the sport's governing body, following consultation with clubs and schools, approved a recommendation that the Tennent's leagues, for both men and women, and youth and school conferences, can recommence.

Despite the challenges presented by the pandemic, there has continued to be a significant growth in the women's game, and seven new teams – including a first XV from Dunfermline – will enter this season's league structure.

They will play in the Caledonia Midlands/East Regional League, Division One, alongside Grangemouth Stags, Liberton FP, Lismore, Livingston, Strathmore, Dundee HSFP, and Kirkcaldy, with their first match being at home to the latter on September 19.

The men's first XV will be back in Caledonia Regional League, Division One, and will kick-off at home to Glenrothes on September 4, before travelling to Hillfoots, and host Orkney – who were top when the 2019/20 season was halted – in their next two fixtures.

Both Dunfermline's second XV and the Sharks will play in Division Three, and will both open at home, with the McKane men hosting Montrose and District, with Rosyth taking on Dundee Morgan.

Their first meeting against each other is slated for October 9 at Harley Street, with the return pencilled in for January 22.