Celtic League gets the go-ahead

A fully-fledged Celtic League is set to be launched at the start of the next rugby season.

The participation of four Irish provinces is believed to have been secured, along with that of the two Scottish Super Districts - Glasgow Caledonians and Edinburgh Reivers - plus eight clubs from Wales.

The Welsh Rugby Union are likely to ratify Welsh participation tonight, although a formal announcement is not expected for at least a couple of weeks.

Although the precise composition of the league structure has yet to be determined, it is thought that television contracts and sponsorship deals have been set up, ensuring the venture goes ahead.

There is even the possibility of the whole competition being played before the autumn international programme, although that situation is likely to need the agreement of both France and England because of the requirement to move early Heineken Cup fixtures to another part of the season.

"Discussions on a Celtic League involving Scotland, Wales and Ireland, beginning next season are at an advanced stage," said Scottish Rugby Union chief executive Bill Watson.

"There is considerable interest from sponsors and television and we are very positive that considerable values can be brought to the table.

"It would be our sincere hope that the discussions will be concluded positively within the next few weeks with an announcement to be made as soon as possible."

A 12 team Welsh-Scottish league is currently in its second year of existence and has been accepted as raising standards at the top level in both countries.

However, it was widely appreciated that unless the Irish provinces became involved, the league would have little long-term future in its present format.

Following the failure to adopt the idea of an all-encompassing British league, which met with the approval of some top English clubs but not the Rugby Football Union, the Irish Rugby Football Union have decided that a league structure involving their Celtic cousins was the best way forward.