By Lestyn
April 27 2004

Celtic rugby’s long term future was looking secure, after a meeting yesterday saw all three nations agree to stick with the current season long 22 game league format, along with a new format for the unpopular Celtic Cup. Ireland and Scotland’s change of heart will come as much of a relief to Wales’s regions, after both unions threatened to push for a reduced season, that would have seen sides facing each other only once over a season.

However following an agreement that will see no league games on Six Nations weekends, the current home and away format will continue for at least two more seasons.

In such a stricken first season, the Celtic cup proved to be a woeful new addition to the calendar. Rather than scrap it though, administrators believe a new end of season spot will give it the re-vamp it needs, with only the top eight finishers in the league taking part.

Ending fears of an end of season championship play off system would be introduced;

“Having examined many options, and taken into account the differing rugby and business needs in all three countries, the board has endorsed the 22 game Celtic League programme for at least the next two seasons,” said Celtic Rugby’s Director Keith Grainger.

“We have been delighted with the progress made during this first season of the home and away league campaign. The World Cup made life difficult for a number of clubs, but the level of rugby has steadily improved and the crowds, which have grown during the season, have enjoyed some top class entertainment with over half a million supporters enjoying the atmosphere at the top grounds.

“Because of the difficulties experienced by some of the professional teams in trying to field fully competitive Celtic match squads during the Six Nations, when they also have to contribute perhaps 10 or more players to the National set up and perhaps five or six players to the under 21 National squads, we have decided to change the format of the Celtic Cup.

“However, we are mindful that supporters, commercial partners and broadcasters all still want to maintain both an element of knock-out or sudden death rugby and maintain a ‘big day out” finale to the season.

“Hence we have re-modelled the structure to the season removing the need for clubs to play on Six Nations match weekends and have introduced the end of season, play-off formula.

“The top eight teams will play against each other in ‘one off’ quarter-finals and semi-finals before a final to determine the overall Celtic Cup Champions for the season. We will give home advantage to the top four placed teams in the current season’s Celtic League Tournament on a seeded basis (1 v 8, 2 v 7, 3 v 6, 4 v 5) and then we will have a draw for the semi-finals.

“Even though we are yet to see the climax to the current Celtic League season it is safe to say that the rugby personnel in the Celtic Nations are confident that they have already seen an advance in playing standards in the professional game across the three countries. “Ireland won the Triple Crown, Munster reached the semi-finals of the Heineken Cup and the Llanelli Scarlets and Edinburgh Rugby both reached the quarterfinals in Europe, while Connacht were semi-finalists in the Parker Pen Challenge Cup.

“The new format for the Celtic League and the Celtic Cup will allow the coaches to manage the use of their international player assets during the 22 league matches, to ensure that rugby as a product, and individuals as players, continue to offer the paying public an improved standard.

“The new formats, coupled with continued Celtic League based Heineken Cup qualification in Wales and Scotland, will ensure that every game will be a must win match endorsed by the fact that every coach and player will know that a top eight finish will be necessary to deliver to their supporters the kind of season they all crave for – a chance to win some additional silverware by capturing the Celtic Cup at the Grand Final.”

Grainger also confirmed steps had been taken to set up a “battle of Britain” with the champions of the Celtic league taking on their Zurich Premiership counterparts in a decider next August, in line with the Orange cup played between the Zurich and French champions.

"We are in talks about the game at the moment and hopefully we will agree terms," said Grainger.

"We would put it on before the start of next season, either the last weekend in August or the second last weekend.

"It is something we are both trying to pull together, ourselves and the Rugby Football Union, so hopefully it will go ahead."