Club rugby maps out a new era of competition

A NEW era for club rugby dawns on the first weekend of October with the opening round of games in the restructured AIB League Division 1A and Division 1B.

The IRFU hope the new Division One format, the details of which were finalised in September 2008, provide more competitive game time for young aspiring professional players as well as providing greater intensity of competition and more quality matches.

The two eight team sections for the 2009/10 season were determined on the Division One league table ranking at end of last season. However, there won’t be an All-Ireland feel to the make-up of Division 1A containing only Munster (five) and Leinster (three) teams.