IRFU urge caution about setting up Celtic League

THE Welsh, Scottish and Irish unions hope to clinch a TV deal and main sponsor after announcing a joint agreement to launch the much talked about Celtic League next August.

But the IRFU have urged caution about the formation of the league, saying it will not come into being until the necessary financial and broadcasting arrangements are in place.

The Welsh Rugby Union gave their backing for the league after a compromise paved the way for the inclusion of a ninth Welsh club.

Original plans were for a 14 team league in two pools of seven, consisting of eight Welsh teams, four Irish districts and two Scottish districts.

But the Welsh, Scottish and Irish unions yesterday issued a joint statement announcing the introduction of a 15 team league, starting in August and featuring nine Welsh teams.

The WRU’s support for the league, which will run for an initial period of three years, paves the way for commercial deals to be finalised.

The nine Welsh clubs are likely to be Swansea, Newport, Cardiff, Llanelli, Bridgend, Neath, Pontypridd, Caerphilly and Ebbw Vale.

Cross Keys are currently six points adrift of Ebbw Vale in the Welsh/Scottish League Premier Division with seven games remaining and are, therefore, the favourites to miss out on the new league and be relegated to the First Division.

The Welsh contingent, and current Welsh/Scottish League members Glasgow Caledonians and Edinburgh Reivers, will be joined by provinces Munster, Ulster, Leinster and Connacht.

The Celtic League is strongly backed by Wales and British Lions coach Graham Henry.

It is expected to raise around £250,000 a year each for the Welsh clubs, a welcome shot in the arm for most participants, with only Cardiff and Newport backed by millionaires.

Henry will be hoping it also helps to raise standards.

No Welsh clubs have made this season’s European Cup and European Shield semi finals and Wales have opened their Six Nations Championship campaign with a defeat and a draw.

A joint statement read: ‘‘the Irish, Scottish and Welsh Rugby Unions are delighted to confirm that the Celtic League has now been giv en the go ahead by each Union.‘‘The ratification by the WRU now opens the way to conclude the commercial arrangements, which will generate significant values for the three Unions and participating teams.

‘‘The Celtic League will run for an initial period of three years and will begin in late August 2001.

‘‘At the outset, it will involve four teams from Ireland, two from Scotland and nine from Wales.

“A fixture list will be published shortly as will the new structure of the planned League.

‘‘The three Unions believe that the Celtic League will have long lasting benefits for rugby in Ireland, Scotland and Wales as it will provide a high intensity stepping stone between domestic competition, the European Cup and international rugby.’’

IRFU spokesman John Redmond welcomed the agreement to press ahead with the league but added a note of caution.

He said: ‘‘from the Irish perspective, the format is welcome and it will provide the Irish provinces with more high profile competition.

‘‘But we still have a final lap to go. The league won’t become a reality until the commercial aspects (television and sponsorship deals) are in place and each union signs up to them.’’

WRU spokesman Chris Tau suggested that the Celtic League agreed upon might evolve into something different.

‘‘It might be changed after one year or two years,’’ he said.

‘‘It could be the forerunner for a British League.

“This is not set in stone — there is scope for change and development,’’ he said.