IRFU reveals latest plans to restructure All-Ireland League

THE All-Ireland League (AIL) has been no stranger to structural tweaks down the years and the IRFU announced the latest set of alterations yesterday, which will come into play at the beginning of the 2011/12 season.

Under the new agreement, the number of senior clubs is to be increased from 48 to 52, rolling substitutions are to be introduced on a trial basis and new regulations will come into place governing contracted provincial players.

The announcement follows a consultation process began in October 2009 and the latest structures will remain in place for five seasons in the hope of providing an air of badly-needed stability to the competition.