Kieran Marmion excited by PRO12’s plans to expand into South Africa

Kieran Marmion has welcomed the ‘exciting’ plans to expand the Guinness PRO12 to include two South African teams, the Southern Kings and Cheetahs.

The Connacht and Ireland scrum-half says all the players he’s spoken to about the planned expansion share his thoughts and believes the new teams will add to the quality of the competition.

Marmion admitted the long trip — it will take Irish provinces three flights just to reach Bloemfontein or Port Elizabeth — will be a challenge, but says it’s worth it.