THE final draw of the Southern Inland Rugby Union (SIRU) could be delayed until February as clubs come to terms with the new "user pay" system.

The Australian Rugby Union (ARU) shocked clubs with the new system at the competition's annual general meeting last month.

At this stage a number of clubs are very concerned with what the new format will do to player numbers, suggesting they wouldn't be able to field two senior teams.

Under the new format, implemented by the cash-strapped ARU, SIRU clubs will no longer pay a standard $1800 levy to register a "team" to play in a competition.

In a dramatic change to the process, each player will now be slugged a minimum $168.50 to register with a club for 2015.

A draft draw for the first and second grade competition was released last week, but all that could change if clubs struggle to field two senior teams.

One possible solution is splitting clubs from the beginning, forming two separate competitions.

The second competition would consist of towns that could only provide one team.

Under the current draft the season will start on April 11 and will be extended for another two weeks.

The grand final is pencilled in at Conolly Rugby Complex on September 12, the same day as the Farrer League grand final and the day before the Group Nine grand final.

In major changes to the draw an extra week has been added to the final series, increasing from three to four.

A further general bye has been added to accommodate SIRU's plans to partake in Country Week for the first time in more than a decade.

A final tick of approval on SIRU's involvement in Country Week is still required by the Brumbies, but was expected to be granted at a meeting last night.

In a busy year of representative rugby in the region, applications closed yesterday for the coaching roles for the four teams to play in the curtain raisers for the Super 15 trial at Equex next month.

As of late Monday afternoon five people had put up their hand to coach the Rams team, made from the four Wagga clubs plus Albury.

Interest has also been expressed in the other three coaching roles.

An announcement on each coach is expected in the coming days, with nominations for interested players closing on Friday.