Celtic League gets revamp for next season

TOURNAMENT chiefs have confirmed that Celtic League games will not take place on international weekends next season.

Celtic League board members agreed that none of the 22 league weekends would clash with either the autumn internationals or 2006 RBS 6 Nations Championship fixtures.

It was also confirmed that all three Celtic nations had agreed to sign a new three-year Celtic Accord, confirming support for the competition until at least May, 2008.

Celtic League finishing positions, meanwhile, will be used as the vehicle for Heineken Cup qualification, and it was agreed to end the Celtic Cup play-offs after this season’s May 14 final, with one eye on player welfare.

Fixtures and dates for the 2005/06 Celtic League campaign will be released early next month.