IRFU chief confident of Rainbow’s gold

SATURDAY’S Celtic Cup final between Munster and Llanelli could be the last game in the competition following yesterday’s unveiling of a new ‘Rainbow Cup’ incorporating teams from the Celtic Unions, South Africa and Italy.

Representatives have announced initial agreement on the establishment of the new competition which they hope to get up and running by next season or, failing that, by the 2006/7 season.

The plans are said to be “conditional upon certain criteria being met” and it is intended that the competition will initially be played for a minimum of five seasons.