Following the new partnership between Scottish Rugby and Papa Johns which was launched last month, this season the programme will be know as ‘Papa Johns Tartan Touch’, with the pizza delivery brand proudly working to support rugby communities in Scotland.

Running between May and July, Tartan Touch is designed to provide a simplified version of rugby with the aim of attracting players of all abilities, ages and levels of experience who are looking to improve their fitness through simple and social activity.

This year’s programme will see 63 clubs operate as Tartan Touch hubs throughout the summer, with a record number of successful applicants being chosen, including 19 newly-established hubs.

Each Tartan Touch Hub will be supported by their Regional Manager and Scottish Rugby’s Tartan Touch Operational Team.

Support will include provision of kit and equipment to help transform the club into a Tartan Touch hub as well as marketing support including a Tartan Touch nationwide marketing campaign and a promotional toolkit.

Since 2018 the number of hubs in clubs across Scotland has doubled from 30 to over 60, and previous seasons of the programme have seen hubs across the country welcome over 4,000 players aged 5 to 75 years old from having never played rugby to retired players.

Dumfries based Annan Rugby Club first became a Tartan Touch hub in 2018, and Development Officer, Nicole Barlow is looking forward to its return, saying: “Everyone at Annan Rugby Club is really excited to see the return of Papa Johns Tartan Touch this year. Prior to Covid it was one of the biggest summer events, with often over 100 players coming along to get involved.

“We love Tartan Touch because it’s something which the whole local community can get involved with as it’s such a safe, fun-filled, family activity.”