AIL format cast in stone

Contrary to rumours sweeping the domestic club game, IRFU sources have confirmed that the two-up, two-down promotion/ relegation format in the All-Ireland League is cast in stone.

It was rumoured that no clubs would be relegated from Division One and four would be promoted from Division Two at the end of this season.

However, recommendations will be made to the IRFU committee at its meeting of April 27th, on foot of which an AIL working party comprising three representatives from all four divisions will again thrash out the various means of arriving at three divisions of 16 clubs.

This would enable the union to press ahead with its proposals for two conferences of eight clubs in each division.

However, it is envisaged that these discussions will affect the promotion and relegation issues for next season, with a view to having the 16-club format introduced for the 2000-2001 season, and not at the end of this season.

Thus, despite the rumours to the contrary, there will be no reprieve for Galwegians and whoever finishes alongside them in the bottom two - most probably Blackrock or Clontarf. Both clubs are on six points, with Clontarf enjoying a 10-point buffer in their points differential, prior to next Saturday's final round of matches in which Blackrock entertain Ballymena while Clontarf travel to Terenure.

Nor will there be more than two promoted from Division Two. This follows the failure to secure 100 per cent support for a revision of the promotion and relegation formats which all clubs signed at the outset of the season.

Meanwhile, Neil Jenkins, who kicked the winning conversion for Wales against England at Wembley last Sunday, will this week have a shoulder operation which will rule him out of Pontypridd's push for the Welsh Premier Division title.

The Wales out-half has been carrying the injury to his right shoulder for four months and had hoped to delay surgery until after Wales's tour to Argentina which starts next month, but he has been unable to train properly and was advised to have the operation immediately.

Jenkins converted Scott Gibbs's late try to give Wales their first victory over England for six years. Gibbs has revealed that he would like another tilt at rugby league, three years after rejoining Swansea from St Helens.

"My contract with Swansea has another year to run and I would like to negotiate a position where I could play union in the winter and league in the summer," said Gibbs.