'Golden point' to settle tied games

The game of rugby has decided to borrow from soccer by introducing a little razzmatazz to the business of deciding drawn matches in the Celtic League competition, in which three Irish teams are still competing.

As a new initiative aimed at generating greater excitement and providing a clear-cut winner, the competition is set to introduce rugby's version of soccer's "golden goal" to decide tied matches during the knockout stages.

The "golden point" will operate with immediate effect, and will initially be used to settle any tied quarter-final matches at the end of the month, which will involve Ulster, Munster and Connacht.

Following discussions with their broadcasting partners, the Celtic League Association (CLA) have had to amend the tournament regulations regarding tied matches in all the knockout stages. In the event of a drawn match this season, and in future quarter-finals, semi-finals and finals, the following criteria will apply to determine the winner:

1. The first team to score ("golden point") during extra time which shall not exceed 10 minutes (five minutes each way).

2. The team which has scored most tries in regular time (80 minutes) of the tied match.

3. In the quarter-finals and semi-finals, the away team.

In the Celtic League final, the winner will be determined by points number one and two in the above criteria. If still unresolved, the winner will be the team with the fewer red cards over the knockout stages, or the team with fewer yellow cards.

If that fails to resolve the match, it will be decided by an old-fashioned toss of a coin.

"The introduction of the golden point to determine the winner of a Celtic League knockout match that ends in a draw will enhance the sudden-death nature of the match and provide a clear-cut winner," said Bill Watson, chairman of the CLA.

In addition to the change in rules, Munster, Connacht and Wales' Pontypridd and Neath will have significant added incentives to win their quarter-finals at the end of the month as that would ensure they have home advantage in the semi-finals in the New Year.

The draw, made at the Six Nations Championship offices in Dublin yesterday, means the semi-finals on the first weekend in January will be played at either Thomond Park, Galway Sportsground, Sardis Road or The Gnoll.

The decision to stage the semi-finals at genuine home grounds is an effort by the organisers to maximise attendances.