The new-look draw has finally been released after Hay made the decision to step up into the first grade competition

Deniliquin have joined the Cutters in moving out of the third grade competition, and have semi-aligned with Hay to play in second grade instead.

The two sides will share some home games but three Wagga clubs will be forced to split between two towns.

Waratahs, Ag College and Wagga City will take on Hay in first grade and women's at Hay No.1 Oval while their second grade will tackle Deniliquin at Rotary Park.

Griffith and CSU will travel to Deniliquin for three games of rugby while Albury and Tumut have been drawn to play in Hay.

Leeton, who doesn't have a second grade team, also heads to play Hay in first grade and women's.

Southern Inland rugby manager Jack Heffernan believes it is the best way to accommodate the changes to the draw this season.

"There are two days where all three grades go to Hay, there is two days where all three grades to Deni and then the rest split up," Heffernan said.

"Three Wagga clubs split up.

"It allows the second grade to follow everyone around and the clubs, who are quite strong in numbers, agreed to split up as their third grade team will have a guaranteed bye that weekend.

"They can lean on some of those players."

With Hay and Deniliquin joining forces, Leeton are the only other club who will not field a second grade side in 2020, meaning there will be two clubs who don't have a game each round.

Instead the Phantoms will have a third grade outfit.

Once more Albury and CSU will not have third grade sides.

Premiers Waratahs have the bye for the first round and instead will get their title defence under way against Reddies on April 18.

The first grand final rematch between Waratahs and Ag College will be at Beres Ellwood Oval on May 16.

Aggies take on Wagga City at Conolly Rugby Complex to start the season.

Also in round one CSU tackles Albury and Griffith travel to Deniliquin to take on Hay.

Finals starts on August 29 with the grand final moved forward to September 12 to avoid a clash with the popular Aggies race day.

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