IRFU allay club concerns

THE IRFU yesterday confirmed the entry of second-string Leinster, Munster and Ulster sides in a 24-team British and Irish cup to take place during international windows in November and February.

Supported by the provincial managements, the competition has sparked concerns within the club game and also how it would hinder Connacht’s policy of recruiting Irish players from other provinces.

The IRFU Director of Rugby, Eddie Wigglesworth, outlined to The Irish Times yesterday that the club game will be protected by no overlapping of fixtures: “We have alleviated the current interface issues of A games taking place on the Monday or Tuesday leading into AIB League weekends. This is why we have structured the league as such; there will be the same access for clubs as last season for professional players.”

Wigglesworth did sound a note of caution about Connacht’s poor form in this season’s Magners League. Connacht are viewed as a development squad and not supported on the same financial level as the other three provinces.

“Connacht don’t have the strength in depth (to enter the new competition),” he said. “We are continually looking at the Connacht situation. They did reach the quarter-final of the Challenge Cup but their Magners League form is under observation.”

The new A-team structures could hinder Connacht’s recruitment process, as certainly will the arrival of two Italian teams into the Magners League in 2010.

“Connacht are not under threat,” stated Wigglesworth. “They will be in the Magners League and Europe next year. The player base, yes, needs to be looked at but we need four professional teams in Irish rugby.”

Connacht coach Michael Bradley added: “Our position is we will play A matches next season, just not in the new A competition, so there is still chances for players in our academy to be progressing.”

CUP STRUCTURE

TWELVE TEAMS from the English Championship, six from the Welsh Principality Premiership, three Irish provinces and three Scotland sides will compete for the inaugural trophy.

The teams will be divided into four pools of six, playing over five weekends during international windows with semi-finals and finals on April 24th and May 15th respectively.

Pool fixture dates:November 7th and 28th, February 13th, February 27th and March 13th.