As New England Rugby prepare to kick-off a truncated season next month there could be a woolly addition.
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Walcha have applied to play in the New England competition this season.
The move is still to be rubber stamped, but president New England David Clifton didn't perceive any problems when he spoke to The Express.
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The Rams are no strangers to the New England. They were part of competition before joining Central North and have even lifted the Sawers Shield (they won the premiership in 1953).
Several of the Rams' players also have ties to New England clubs. Centre Tom Bucknell helped Robb College break their premiership drought in 2018. Captain Simon Newton won a premiership with St Alberts back in 2006. Dom Bower (Barbarians), Dave Healey (Armidale), and Pat and Charlie Keen (Guyra) are also among those to have suited up for New England clubs.
The Rams' decision to apply to play in the New England competition comes after the Central North clubs last month unanimously voted to abandon the 2020 season.
Rams president Roger Van Den Hoek said they were "still keen to play" but supported the clubs and the decision. But, he added, if there was "any opportunity for our guys to play" they were going to pursue it.
That opportunity arrived in the form of New England.
Van Den Hoek said Central North "are supportive" of the move and stressed it is "not a permanent thing".
Among the reasons the clubs cited for deciding to forgo the season was the financial implications of playing without spectators, or at least reduced spectators, which still could be the case.
Van Den Hoek said while that was a concern, the club's priority was to "try and get the boys playing rugby".
"We've got a pretty keen group of young guys and we'd like to keep them interested in rugby and playing for the Rams and we'll do whatever we can to get them playing," he said.
Central North runners-up the last three years, Clifton said the addition of the Rams would certainly add some interest. "They're a very strong and fine club," he said.
Walcha's inclusion could see a seven-team first grade competition with Glen Innes indicating that they are looking to field two men's sides as well as a women's side.
Clifton said there is "a bit of uncertainty" around Robb College at the moment because of the restrictions around the students' return to university.
He expects to know a lot more when the executive meets on Friday night. But following the announcement from the state government on Wednesday that senior sport can resume from July 1 it is full steam ahead.
That was all they had really been waiting for, and a date to return to contact training, which they now have. From July 1 they will be able to resume full training.
"We had a date of July 18 as a starting date. We are unsure as whether we are going to be able to meet that date. However we won't be far behind," Clifton said. He is hoping to have a draw finalised to be able to distribute to the clubs early next week.
