They have built up one of the strongest rivalries in the Central North competition, but now Pirates and Walcha are uniting for a tilt at a New England premiership.
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The two clubs are set to join forces to play in the women's 7s competition.
The exact details of how the arrangement will work are still being finalised. At this stage it is not clear whether they will be a combined entity or Pirates will play in the Rams' place with both parties conferring numbers.
However it eventuates, it will make for a seven team competition, the same as the men's first and second grade.
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Pirates women's coach Anthony Barbara said his players are excited about the prospect of playing some rugby this season after they faced a season on the sidelines when the Central North season was abandoned.
In fact it was their unwavering interest, and persistence, that really instigated the joint venture.
Since resuming training, Barbara said they have kept asking him repeatedly "are we going to get games?".
So he made a few calls.
When the possibility of being involved in the New England competition came up, he took it to the Pirates committee and they gave it their full support.
He said they have got roughly about 15 players that are keen and should have "a pretty good squad" with the nucleus of the side that finished runners-up last year on board again and a couple of handy additions, most notably RugbyWA winger Claudia Nielsen.
The Tamworth native told The Leader it had been a bit of a struggle to get back to WA so she thought she'd play for Pirates while she had the chance.
As they look to defend their title, Barbets coach Will Green welcomed the addition of the side.
"You've got to beat the best to be the best," he said, adding the pressure will be on them to perform.
