AN AYRSHIRE rugby coach has been chosen to lead the best club players in Glasgow and the west of Scotland in this season's Inter District Championship.

Marr's Kenny Diffenthal returns to head up the Glasgow and the West squad's coaching team for a second year.

The competition sees each region assemble a group of the best talent from clubs within the amateur Scottish leagues.

The sides from the competing regions - Edinburgh, the South, Glasgow and the West, and Caledonia Reds (formerly the North and Midlands) - will face each other once, either home or away, in a round robin format, with the table toppers taking home the crown.

The tournament dates back to 1953, but was put on hold - at least for amateur players - in 1996 after the sport turned professional.

Two attempts have since been made to restart the amateur version of the competition - the first from 1999 until 2002, the second last season, with Caledonia Reds claiming victory last time out.

The Glasgow and West team - or 'Glasgow District' as it used to be known - hasn't won the title since the 1989-90 season.

Diffenthal also coached the Glasgow and the West squad last season as they finished third overall.

He returns to the role this year - as does each district coach from 2022-23 - with his sights set higher.

Diffenthal will be joined for a second year by fellow coaches Stephen Adair, also from Marr, and Thomas Davidson of Glasgow Hawks.

Diffenthal said: “I’m extremely grateful and humbled to be asked again to head up Glasgow and the west.

"It was a really good team effort in the last outing so I hope for more of the same from all players and staff. 

"I really enjoyed working with Stephen and Thomas so hopefully we can build on what we did previously. 

"It’s really good that it is back up and running and will be beneficial for all involved.”

Team selections are to be announced in the new year, with the competition set to be played during March and April.

More information on exact fixture dates and times will be released in due course.