The Scottish National League is an amateur men's rugby league competition and the first tier of domestic rugby league in Scotland. The league formed in 1997 under the name The Scottish Conference three years after the formalisation of the sport in Scotland with the founding of Scotland Rugby League.
In 2007, the league was incorporated into the wider British rugby league system and renamed the RLC Scottish Regional forming one of an eventual nine Rugby League Conference regional divisions.
In 2011, the Rugby League Conference was dissolved due to a wider restructuring of amateur rugby league in Great Britain. The league became known as the Scottish National League for the 2012 season and came back under the control of Scotland Rugby League.
History
The first domestic Scottish club were the Forth & Clyde Nomads who played in the 1995–96 North-East League but folded shortly before the announcement about a new Scottish rugby league competition. They made history when they won the first ever domestic competition, the Scottish Challenge Cup in 1996 beating Stirling University 30–24.
The first title was won by Lomond Valley Raiders who beat Central Centurions in the final of the first domestic competition. The following three seasons saw different champions each season, Border Eagles in their debut season in 1998, Edinburgh Eagles in 1999 against fellow Edinburgh side Portobello Playboys and Glasgow Bulls in 2000, before in 2001 the Eagles lifted the first of a hat-trick of title wins. In 2002 the league ran two 4 team divisions but reverted to one division the following season. The Eagles dominance was ended by Fife Lions in the 2004 Grand Final. The following season saw one season wonders Royal Scots Steelers from Edinburgh beat Fife Lions in the final. The Lions regained the title in 2006 before the Edinburgh Eagles returned for a second hat-trick run of title successes including the first two against Fife Lions. In 2010 a new name was carved onto the trophy when Carluke Tigers gained revenge for their previous seasons final defeat in extra-time against Edinburgh Eagles by defeating the all-conquering team 14–10. The Eagles lifted the next two titles against finals debutants Ayrshire Storm in 2011 and Aberdeen Warriors in 2012. In that 2011 season the league once again ran two divisions this time on a regional basis; Central and North. This lasted until 2014. Aberdeen Warriors won four straight titles between 2013 and 16. 2017 saw Strathmore Silverbacks lift their first title pipping the Edinburgh Eagles to the title. 2018 saw the Eagles return to the top of the pack after six years overturning the 2017 Champions Strathmore Silverbacks on points difference. 2019 saw Strathmore collect their second title pipping Glasgow RL to the title. Edinburgh Eagles picked up the league and cup double in 2021.
Many of the teams also run junior teams in the National Youth League.
Current clubs
Scottish National League clubs Club LocationBorders Barbarians EarlstonEdinburgh Eagles EdinburghForth Valley Vikings ClackmannanshireGlasgow RLGlasgowTayside Silverbacks Dundee/ForfarWest End Warriors Glasgow
Results
SeasonLeagueRFL Challenge Cup Champions Score Runners-up Team Round 1997 Lomond Valley Raiders (1) 30–28 Central Centurions colspan=2 1998 Border Eagles (1) 40–14 Edinburgh Eagles colspan=2 1999 Edinburgh Eagles (1) 48–20 Portobello Playboys Border Eagles R1 2000 Glasgow Bulls (1) 47–22 Edinburgh Eagles Edinburgh Eagles R1 2001 Edinburgh Eagles (2) 30–16 Glasgow Bulls Glasgow Bulls R1 2002 Edinburgh Eagles (3) 46–24 Portobello Playboys Edinburgh Eagles R1 2003 Edinburgh Eagles (4) ?–? Fife Lions Edinburgh Eagles R1 2004 Fife Lions (1) 36–24 Edinburgh Eagles Edinburgh Eagles R1 2005 Royal Scots Steelers (1) 56–46 Fife Lions Fife Lions 2006 Fife Lions (2) ?–? Moray Eels colspan=2 2007 Edinburgh Eagles (5) ?–? Fife Lions Fife Lions R1 2008 Edinburgh Eagles (6) 54–4 Fife Lions Edinburgh Eagles R1 2009 Edinburgh Eagles (7) 18–10 (AET) Carluke Tigers Edinburgh Eagles R2 2010 Carluke Tigers (1) 18–10 Edinburgh Eagles Edinburgh Eagles R2 2011 Edinburgh Eagles (8) 26–10 Ayrshire Storm Carluke Tigers R1 2012 Edinburgh Eagles (9) 36–10 Aberdeen Warriors Edinburgh Eagles 2013 Aberdeen Warriors (1) 30–28 Easterhouse Panthers colspan=2 2014 Aberdeen Warriors (2) 30–20 Edinburgh Eagles Aberdeen Warriors R1 2015 Aberdeen Warriors (3) Strathmore Silverbacks Aberdeen Warriors R1 2016 Aberdeen Warriors (4) 48–32 Strathmore Silverbacks Aberdeen Warriors R1 2017 Strathmore Silverbacks (1) 32–30 Edinburgh Eagles Aberdeen Warriors R1 2018 Edinburgh Eagles (10) Strathmore Silverbacks Strathmore Silverbacks R1 2019 Strathmore Silverbacks (2) Fife Lions Edinburgh Eagles R1 2020 colspan="3" colspan=2 2021 Edinburgh Eagles (11) Strathmore Silverbacks colspan=2 2022 Forth Valley Vikings (1) Aberdeen Warriors Edinburgh Eagles R1 2023 Edinburgh Eagles (12) 48–24 Forth Valley Vikings Edinburgh Eagles R1 2024 Edinburgh Eagles (13) 30–24 Glasgow Rugby League Edinburgh Eagles R1 2025 West End Warriors (1) 34–30 (g.p.) Edinburgh Eagles Edinburgh Eagles R1 Champions
+ ClubWinsWinning years 1 Edinburgh Eagles 13 7 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2018, 2021, 2023, 2024 2 Aberdeen Warriors 4 2 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 3 Fife Lions 2 5 2004, 2006 4 Strathmore Silverbacks 2 4 2017, 2019 5= Carluke Tigers 1 1 2010 5= Forth Valley Vikings 1 1 2022 5= Glasgow Bulls 1 1 2000 8= Border Eagles 1 – 1998 8= Loch Lomond Raiders 1 – 1997 8= Royal Scots Steelers 1 – 2005 8= West End Warriors 1 – 2025 12 Portobello Playboys – 2 – 13= Ayrshire Storm – 1 – 13= Central Centurians – 1 – 13= Easterhouse Panthers – 1 – 13= Glasgow Rugby League – 1 – 13= Moray Eels – 1 –
Seasons 1997 season The inaugural Scottish Conference kicked off on 27 July when Linlithgow Lions lost at home against Lomond Valley Raiders 50–68. Five teams contested that debut season, eventual champions Lomond Valley Raiders, runners-up Central Centurions, Linlithgow Lions, Inverness RL and Glasgow based Whitecraigs Warriors. The Raiders went through the season unbeaten and defeated the Central Centurions 30-28 in the final.
1998 season Five teams once again contested the newly retitled Scottish National League, new clubs Edinburgh Eagles, Border Eagles and Glasgow Bulls replaced Central Centurions, Inverness RL and Whitecraigs Warriors. The Border Eagles who had former Great Britain international Hugh Waddell in their ranks lifted the title when they beat Edinburgh Eagles in the inaugural Grand Final at Hillhead Sports Club in Glasgow 40–14.
1999 season The league increased to six clubs with Edinburgh based Portobello Playboys joining the league. The Grand Final was once again played at Hillhead Sports Club in Glasgow and was contested by the two Edinburgh clubs following their play-off victories against Border Eagles and Linlithgow Lions. In the final table toppers and favourites Edinburgh Eagles beat Portobello Playboys 48–20. As 1998 champions, the Border Eagles were entered into the 1999 Challenge Cup and on 6 December 1998 history was made when they took to the field against Wath Brow Hornets at Hillhead Sports Club losing by only 10–34.
2000 season The same six teams competed, one though, Lomond Valley Raiders changed their name to Rhu Raiders. Off the field Scotland Rugby League were officially recognised by SportScotland in October 1999 and on the field it seemed a certainty that Edinburgh Eagles would retain their title having gone through the season losing just one game to reach the Grand Final. Their opponents were Glasgow Bulls who having finished in 4th place with 5 wins and 5 defeats had reached the final following play-off wins over Rhu Raiders and league runners-up Borders. In the final the Bulls pulled off a massive upset in winning 47–22 at Royal High Corstorphine RFC in Edinburgh. As the 1999 season champions, the Eagles progressed into the 2000 Challenge Cup and a round 1 home meeting with top amateur side Woolston Rovers. After being 0-16 down at half-time the club nearly pulled off an almighty shock before going down 12–17.
2001 season The same six clubs competed again in a season disrupted by an outbreak of foot-and-mouth. Once again Edinburgh Eagles and Glasgow Bulls contested the Grand Final having gone through the season losing just one game, against each other. In the final played at West of Scotland FC in Glasgow the Eagles came out on top 30–16, at one point they led 30–0. In the 2001 Challenge Cup the Glasgow Bulls lost heavily to Wigan Rose Bridge 0-72.
2002 season
+2002 Division 1 Club 1 Portobello Playboys 6 6 0 0 12 2 Edinburgh Eagles 6 4 0 2 8 3 Glasgow Bulls 6 1 0 5 2 4 Dumbarton Dragons 6 1 0 5 2source: +2002 Division 2 Club 1 Fife Lions 6 6 0 0 12 2 Borders 6 3 0 3 6 3 Lanarkshire Storm 6 2 0 4 4 4 Clyde Buccaneers 6 1 0 5 2source:
The league expanded to two divisions of four. Division 1 consisted of reigning champions Edinburgh Eagles, runners-up Glasgow Bulls, Portobello Playboys and Dumbarton Dragons who were previously known as Rhu Raiders but had relocated to Loch Lomond. In Division 2 were Borders, Fife Lions who were previously called Linlithgow Lions but moved to Fife and two new clubs south Glasgow based Lanarkshire Storm and Clyde Buccaneers. Portobello won Division 1 remaining unbeaten and defeated 3rd placed Glasgow Bulls in the play-offs, in the other play-off Edinburgh Eagles saw off Division 2 winners Fife Lions 58–6. In the Grand Final played at Cavalry Park in Edinburgh Edinburgh Eagles beat the Portobello Playboys 46–24. In the 2002 Challenge Cup the Eagles lost at home to Leigh East 10–68.
2003 season
+2003 table Club 1 Edinburgh Eagles 5 5 0 0 10 2 Fife Lions 5 4 0 1 8 3 Portobello Playboys 5 3 0 2 6 4 Clyde Buccaneers 5 1 0 4 2 5 Glasgow Bulls 5 1 0 4 2 6 Borders 5 1 0 4 2 The league reverted to one division and also lost two clubs. Lanarkshire Storm resigned after just one season and Dumbarton Dragons who as Lomond Valley Raiders won the first title, also failed to start the season. Reigning champions Edinburgh Eagles went through the season unbeaten and dispatched first time finalists Fife Lions in the final. In the 2003 Challenge Cup Edinburgh Eagles lost at home to Oulton Raiders in the first round 8-26.
2004 season
+2004 table Club 1 Fife Lions 5 3 0 2 6 2 Edinburgh Eagles 4 2 0 2 4 3 Portobello Playboys 4 2 0 2 4 4 Clyde Buccaneers 5 2 0 3 4 The 2004 season featured four clubs following the withdrawal of Borders, which folded after being unable to secure a suitable home ground, and Glasgow Bulls, which took a hiatus while reorganizing after financial difficulties experienced by its benefactors, Bradford Bulls. The competition remained closely contested, with all four clubs still in contention for the Grand Final entering the final round of matches. The Grand Final was a repeat of the previous season's decider, although Fife Lions defeated Edinburgh Eagles 36-24 to win their first title. In the 2004 Challenge Cup, Edinburgh Eagles were eliminated in the first round after losing 34-8 to Heworth ARLFC.
2005 season
+2005 table Club 1 Fife Lions 10 10 0 0 20 2 Royal Scots Steelers 10 6 1 3 13 3 Edinburgh Eagles 10 6 1 3 13 4 Moray Eels 10 4 0 6 8 5 Glasgow Bulls 10 3 0 7 6 6 Easterhouse Panthers 10 1 0 9 2