KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Rugby's (MR) decision to discontinue the Malaysia Rugby League (MRL) has shifted more attention to the Bank Muamalat Selangor State Sports Council-Selangor Rugby Union League, which kicks off today.
Clubs — such as Cobra, Serdang Angels, RMAF Blackhawk, UiTM Lions, DBKL Dragons, Royal Selangor Club, KL Tigers RFC, KL Saracens, Selangor Police — and the relatively new Muamalat Bullets are among the big names competing in the two-division Selangor League.
Selangor league tournament director Tan Thiam Jin is expecting a more competitive event this year.
While most of the clubs are regulars in the competition, some non-affiliate clubs, such as Selangor Police and DBKL Dragons, have been invited to compete in the league.
"This is the second time we are organising the league since we restarted after the Covid-19 pandemic," said Thiam Jin when contacted today.
"Last year, all the teams played together (only one division), separated into two groups.
"The top eight teams from last year go into this year's Division One, while the rest go into Division Two.
"For Division One, I am expecting Serdang Angels, KL Tigers, Cobra, RMAF Blackhawk and Muamalat Bullets to be the favourites for the title.
"Angels won the league last season, while Muamalat Bullets have a strong squad with many current and former national players in their side."
Thiam Jin expressed his gratitude to strategic partners Bank Muamalat and Selangor State Sports Council as well as sponsors Menteri Besar Selangor Incorporated and Kampung Tunku assemblyman Lim Yi Wei for their support.
MRL's absence has left fans looking forward to the Selangor League, which is arguably the top club rugby 15s competition in the country.
MR decided not to continue organising MRL last year to focus more on developing their national inter-state competitions, such as the Agong's Cup and National Sevens.
The MRL, known as the MRU Super League in its earlier days, had run from 2004 to 2019.
The Selangor League kicks off today and will move to the semi-finals on July 30 followed by the finals on Aug 6.
Selangor League
Division One: Serdang Angels, KL Tigers RFC, RMAF Blackhawk, Staroba Rugby, SMS Old Boys, Cobra Black, Muamalat Bullets, Selangor Police Rugby.
Division Two: KL Saracens, RSC Dog, Rhinoz Warriors, Opa Black Scorpions, The Greens, ARC Knight, UPNM Smookies, DBKL Dragons, UiTM Lions.