Union says player welfare to be considered first and foremost

THE continued growth of the Celtic League is crucial to the development of Irish rugby, according to the IRFU, who yesterday outlined their plans for the sport here in Ireland over the next couple of seasons.

While the union would like to see the Celtic League develop still further from its current embryonic stage, it is also wary of enlarging the league, as some believe the Welsh RU may propose doing by suggesting a home and away format.

The IRFU feel a 20/22 game Celtic League is neither viable financially nor from the standpoint of player welfare the foundations on which the IRFU has made its list of proposals.