The Federazione Italiana Rugby League has announced the start of the Italian rugby league championship in Italy, The Serie A RL. The second reincarnation of the championship, following the collapse of the Italian league in the 1960s, will start on Wednesday 1 June, between current Italian champions XIII del Ducato and the newly formed Milan club, XIII del Duomo.

Six teams will be participating, divided into two pools of three teams, with each pool playing on a home and away basis. The pool winners will contest the final of the Italian Serie A championship on Saturday 9 July 2011. The participating teams are XIII del Duomo, XIII del Ducato, Parma RL (North West Conference); and Ercole Monselice RL, Grifons Padova, Mastini XIII Treviso (North East Conference).

FIRL vice president Fabio di Pietro commented:”after all the work the federation has done in the early months of the year, now the time has arrived to play. Let’s get the show on the road!”

The participating teams will play under the technical direction of FIRL, which has sent to each club RLEF-trained and qualified coaches. For the first time, the Italian championship will be officiated by trained and qualified rugby league match officials following the accreditation of Daniele Veronese, Philippo Veronese and Guido Bonatti earlier this month in London.