Captains claim AIL at its best

THOSE who believe Irish club rugby is on the wane will be quickly contradicted by two of the leading captains in the country.

Evan Ryan and Hugh Hogan, who lead their respective teams, Cork Constitution and St Mary’s College, into battle in Saturday’s AIB League final at Dubarry Park, Athlone (3.35pm) insist the intensity and standard of play in this season’s league has been higher than ever.

After an absorbing campaign of 14 games when leadership of Division 1A changed hands on numerous occasions, Constitution topped the table ahead of St Mary’s.