It has been proposed that the upcoming New England rugby competition be a seven-team, six-round affair - with the finals staged over three weeks.
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The New England Rugby Union executive met on Friday night to finalise the draft draw, which has been sent to the clubs for consideration.
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The draw will be ratified during a Zoom meeting between the executive and the clubs on Friday.
July 25 is the start date for the long-awaited, truncated competition, which stands tall amid the debris of the Central North rugby and the Group 4 seasons being cancelled.
Grand final day is September 26.
Last season's five-team competition has been expanded after Glen Innes formed a top-grade outfit for the first time in several years, while Central North powerhouse Walcha have joined the comp.
Six of the clubs will definitely have first- and second-grade teams. Robb College's staggered reopening may prevent it from having a second-grade side.
All the clubs, bar Walcha, will have a women's side. The third-grade competition has been suspended for the year.
Each first-grade side will have three home games and three away games, with a bye each round.
The top four sides will qualify for the finals.
Look, it's not a big competition but it's enough.
- Mitch Hanlon
NERU vice-president Mitch Hanlon said: "Look, it's not a big competition but it's enough. Everyone seems excited about it.
"We were measured. We weren't outlandish in anything we've pondered.
"We've been following every [Covid-19] protocol that's been sent to us.
"As I've said once before, I think it's a good thing for us to give people something to aim for."
Before the season starts, Hanlon said the NERU executive would likely hold "a couple" of Zoom meetings with the clubs to discuss Covid-19 protocols.
With crowds allowed in NRL and AFL matches, albeit in much-reduced numbers, Hanlon is hopeful that fans will be able to watch New England matches.
The Tamworth president said: "The 25th [of July], that's a month away. We should be able allowed to do a lot more stuff than what we're doing now."
Hanlon expects St Albert's College to be Tamworth's first home-game opponents.
"That's usually a huge day for us," he said, adding: "So, we'd like to see the restrictions lifted so we can leverage off that."
Hanlon said a number Central North players had signed with New England clubs.
"We've picked up a couple of Quirindi players," he added.
