The Barbarian Hogs will take the place of premiers Forster Tuncurry. Forster withdrew last week citing problems with COVID-19 restrictions. Barbarian Hogs spokesman Teale Bryan said the team is mainly a combination of players from the two Port Macquarie clubs, Port Pirates and Hastings Vikings.

"When our comp was cancelled we put the word out to see who wanted a game,'' Bryan explained.

However, he said in the main the players are of reserve grade standard in the Upper Mid North Coast competition.

"It's a group of old blokes who want a game of rugby,'' Bryan said.

"The average age of our front row is about 40. We've also got a few younger blokes - under 18s, who were disappointed when their comp was cancelled.''

Mid North Coast chief executive Bob Wilson said the Hogs won't be a 'stacked side' but added they'll be competitive. He said the zone will monitor the side's roster.

Bryan expects home games would be played at Port Macquarie - either Oxley Oval or Stuart Park, although this depends on a meeting with council.

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"We're just looking for a game and a few beers afterwards with the opposition. It'll be good to meet a few new players this year.''

The Hogs will slot straight into the draw in place of Forster. Their first game was to be against Gloucester on Saturday, but at the time of going to press it appeared this wouldn't go ahead.

"Gloucester will have a few blokes away because they didn't think they'd be playing this weekend, so we're happy to share the points,'' Bryan explained.

This means the Hogs will debut against the Manning Ratz at Taree Rugby Park on Saturday July 18.

The season is scheduled to play 10 rounds before the start of the semi-finals. The LNC premiership is understood to be the only competition of either rugby code to go ahead this year in the area between Forster-Tuncurry and Grafton. All others have been cancelled due to the pandemic.