Celtic League collapse

A WAR of words has erupted between the Irish, Welsh and Scottish rugby unions following the collapse last night of the 2005-06 Celtic League season.

The Celtic League Association announced the decision yesterday following a meeting in London where the Welsh announced they had signed an agreement with the Rugby Football Union to compete in the Anglo-Welsh Cup.

The competition will replace the Powergen Cup but led to scheduling problems for the Celtic League and drew the ire of Wales' Celtic partners.

As a result, there will be a cross-border competition between Irish and Scottish clubs only.

Last night an IRFU source outlined the background to the dispute.

"Last October at a meeting in Edinburgh the WRU was asked if they were in discussions with other bodies about conflicting competitions and they said they were not.

"At the same meeting the IRFU, WRU and Scottish Rugby Union agreed they would undertake not to organise stand-alone arrangements.

"In February this year there were rumours in Lansdowne Road that Wales might have been in discussions with the RFU, and Philip Browne rang the WRU about rumours concerning Welsh negotiations to participate in the Powergen Cup.

"The WRU denied those discussions, but the same day Philip Browne rang the RFU and they confirmed that those discussions were taking place.

"On April 4, at a meeting of the three unions, the structure for a 20-match Celtic League, with qualification for the Heineken Cup and no games on international match weekends, was agreed.

"Everyone signed up. We thought that agreement was a fait accompli, until April 14 when Bob Norster of the WRU dropped a hand grenade in the mix he confirmed that yes, there were talks involving Welsh clubs participating in the Powergen Cup.

"Yesterday, to the disappointment, dismay and horror of the Irish and Scottish Unions, the WRU announced they would go into the cup, scuppering the plan agreed on April 4."

The IRFU are now activating a number of contingency plans to ensure games for the four provinces.

"The Irish and Scottish unions have come up with a 12-match home and away structure to start next September, with the possibility of an add-on cup competition, though details of that to be thrashed out later. The Scottish-Irish competition will involve Heineken Cup qualification.

"On top of those games, the IRFU will examine the potential of ad hoc fixtures for provinces with major club teams, involving perhaps South African teams. That way, if the opportunity arises you could have Munster playing a crack international club side.

"In April the IRFU was discussing World Cup issues with the SARFU when the Norster story broke. The SARFU was interested in getting involved in inter-club competition but unfortunately the notice involved was too short for that to be arranged."

The Welsh however are taking a different standpoint.

Group chief executive David Moffett told BBC Sport Online: "The decision by Ireland and Scotland smacks of childishness and I can't understand it.

"We told them that we had signed up to the Anglo-Welsh Cup, but also that the Celtic League was our most important competition and that we remain totally committed to it.

"Whether Italy came in and we played the league home or away, or they stayed out and it remained home and away, we felt we could accommodate the cup tournament.

"You have to feel sorry for Irish and Scottish rugby supporters.

"Given the state of their rugby on and off the field, I'd have thought Scotland would do everything in their power to play in a meaningful tournament.

"This seems a final decision from them over the Anglo-Welsh issue, but I'm always hopeful and we'll see what happens in the next few days."

There remains optimism on all sides that the Celtic League can be revived for the season after next, with the possible inclusion of Italian clubs, who had been mooted as replacements for the Welsh this season.

The Scottish hierarchy are far from happy with the actions of the WRU.

An SRU spokesman said: "This is clearly far from perfect. There is a dilution in the breadth of the competition for this coming season. We are not going to pretend it is a situation we are happy with because we are not."

Additional reporting by Scott Dougal and Ian Rodgers.