Philippine Rugby will launch the 2019 domestic 15s season today at Southern Plains, Calamba.
The JML Premiership Shield will feature eight teams across Luzon coming together for over 14 rounds. Teams are ranked in one division, across two pools based on last year’s standings.
The Eagles RFC are top seeds and will face the HMR Ibons, Clark Jets and the Manila Carabaos in Pool A. The Manila Nomads will be ranked top of Pool B to face the Santos Knight Frank Mavericks, the Albay Bulkans, and the Makati Chiefs.
Local teams will be boosted by national player contingents. Some exciting talent to feature each week, with the likes of Joe Palabay Dawson, Jonel Madrona, Lito Ramirez, Jeremy Hernandez, Nick Jones, Edlen Hernandez, Ian Pausanos, Reymarc Bustillo, Steven Near, David Feeney, Timothy Bweheni, Jovic Paypon, and Ric Bellen all key members for their local clubs.
“This year will be a first for the PRFU, all eight Luzon based teams in one division. It’s going to be exciting to see each week.
Teams will be seeded and ranked accordingly by the end of the regular season and it will break off to a Top 4 and bottom 4 for the playoffs. Only one team will be crowned Premiership champions” shared Jovan Masalunga of Philippine Rugby.
The 15s domestic season has a strong history for over 15 years, with Rugby predominately starting from the Nomads Rugby Club. Come 2019, the club will feature three teams, two male, one female, a first in its history.
