Numbers game as AIL clubs take stock

THE country’s senior rugby clubs have been told they cannot expect to attract large crowds for All-Ireland League matches but can benefit from the growing numbers playing the sport.

That was the message from the Irish Rugby Football Union yesterday during a media briefing on the domestic game at the Aviva Stadium that also encompassed the growing number of participants at age grade level, the appointment of a child welfare officer in all clubs, a concerted effort to organise sevens rugby at domestic level and a focus on transitioning boys and girls into adult rugby players.

With the AIL set to be restructured for the 2011-12 season into two Division Ones of 10 teams each and two Division Twos of 16 clubs each, the IRFU is committed to maintaining the league as the flagship of domestic rugby.