O’Connell hails Magners rethink

ON THE eve of his reappointment as Munster captain, Paul O’Connell has welcomed the decision to provide a guaranteed competitive climax to the Magners League campaign this season.

Indeed the news was greeted positively by all of the clubs represented in a pre-season launch at Thomond Park yesterday, and it wasn’t the only good news for the future of the competition – the sponsors are backing it with more money in a new two-year deal recently concluded.

In relation to the decision to introduce semi-finals and a final to round off the Magners season, O’Connell, ideally placed to speak on behalf of clubs overburdened with national squad requirements, said: “It gives the teams that provide a lot of players to their respective national teams a fair crack; easing the pressure somewhat; a shot at competing for a trophy come the end of the season and it keeps it very competitive throughout the season.

“I suppose a case in point is Wasps who have never, I think, topped the table but have won some English titles; it’s great to have that opportunity and I think we all want to play big games at the back end of the season in good weather; it can only make the competition bigger and better.”

Edinburgh filled the runners-up squad in last year’s competition and Mike Blair, who toured South Africa alongside O’Connell with the Lions this summer, agreed that a play-off system was the way forward.

“We finished second but we weren’t really in a position to overtake Munster from a bit away from the final game, so the idea of being able to aim for at least a place in the top four is something that will appeal to a lot of teams.

“Just looking at the position coming to the end of last season, there were seven or eight teams who would have been battling for places in the top four. If that is the case this coming season then it will be good for everyone; the clubs, the players and the supporters.”

From uncertain beginnings, the Celtic or Magners League has come a long way, as emphasised by both David Jordan (Celtic Rugby director) and John Hussey (Celtic Rugby chairman). Both pointed to the level of progress made in eight seasons of competition and highlighted the success enjoyed by the participants from the Celtic countries in world rugby over the last few seasons in particular.

They pointed, for instance, to the fact that Wales have produced two Grand Slam and Six Nations titles, Ireland one; that Ireland have won three Triple Crowns and Wales two in the last five years, that Shane Williams won the IRB Player of the Year award in 2008 in addition to a host of further accolades.

Not least was the fact the Magners League proved hugely successful in preparing Celtic teams for battle in the Heineken Cup, a competition won by Munster in 2006 and 2008 and Leinster last season. In addition, the Ospreys and Cardiff Blues put English opposition to the sword by winning the EDF Energy Cup in both 2008 and 2009.

For the record, champions Munster start this season’s campaign on Friday week (away to Glasgow). O’Connell admitted it would be a tough opener.

“We haven’t ever got much from Glasgow, particularly away from home, and it is a tough one to start with,” he said.

Leinster are also on the road, away to Scarlets on Saturday, September 5, while Ulster take on Newport at Rodney Parade on Sunday, September 6.

The only Irish team favoured with a home start are Connacht, who face Ospreys at the Sportsground on Friday week.