PROFESSIONAL Rugby League comes to Blackwood for the first time on Sunday when South Wales Scorpions take on Hunslet Hawks in Championship One.

The Scorpions game at Glan-yr-Afon Park kicks off at 2pm and will be preceded by the Scott McRorie Nines tournament from 10am with Blackwood hoping for a bumper turnout.

"It’s an honour for Blackwood to be hosting this South Wales Scorpions game against such an established name as Hunslet Hawks" said chairman Roger Moore. "We’ve hosted Wales Rugby League fixtures in the past and we are very much looking forward to this game."

With seven Conference sides expected to enter the nines tournament, there appears to be no clear favourite.

The holders Valley Cougars will be entering their A team which is unlikely to be supplemented with players from their first team as they play their own match in the Conference South at Oxford on Saturday.

The reformed Blue Bulls have signed a lot of players and will be strong, as will current champions Torfaen Tigers.

Less is known about the new sides Aber Valley Wolves, Cardiff Spartans and Gwendraeth Valley Raiders, but for them it will be a great opportunity to judge where they are in their development.

Established Conference sides Cardiff Demons and Newport Titans complete the line-up and have as good a chance as anyone to win the competition on the day.

Tickets start at £1 for children and £8 for adults and can be booked online at scorpionsrl.com by clicking the tickets tab. They are also available on the day.

GROUP A

Aber Valley Wolves

Cardiff Spartans

Valley Cougars 1

Valley Cougars 2

GROUP B

Newport Titans

Bridgend Blue Bulls

Cardiff Demons

Torfaen Tigers

PITCH A

10.10am Aber Valley Wolves v Cardiff Spartans

10.30am Valley Cougars 1 v Valley Cougars 2

11am Valley Cougars 1 v Cardiff Spartans

11.20am Aber Valley Wolves v Valley Cougars 2

11.50am Cardiff Spartans v Valley Cougars 2

12.05pm Valley Cougars 1 v Aber Valley Wolves

PITCH B

10.10am Cardiff Demons v Newport Titans

10.30am Bridgend Blue Bulls v Torfaen Tigers

11am Bridgend Blue Bulls v Cardiff Demons

11.20am Newport Titans v Torfaen Tigers

11.50am Cardiff Demons v Torfaen Tigers

12.05pm Bridgend Blue Bulls v Newport Titans

PITCH A

12.35pm Semi-Final 1 - Winners Group A v Runners up Group B

12.55pm Semi-Final 2 - Winners Group B v Runners up Group A

1.30pm Final