All change for 2009 AIB League format

The IRFU will implement changes to the format of Division 1 of the AIB League for the 2009-10 season.

Under the new structure, AIB League Division 1 will be split into two Sections of 8 teams each on a meritocracy basis, with all teams playing each other on a home and away basis each season.

Philip Browne, chief executive of the IRFU, said: "Our focus over the next four years is on delivering quality at all levels of domestic rugby in terms of competitions, coaching, facilities and support. This new format will deliver a higher quality of competition throughout the season which is what the majority of clubs want to get from the league.

"Strategically, the domestic game is the key component of Irish rugby as it is the heartland of our sport where all our players and the vast majority of our volunteers come from.

"This new Division 1 format is the first in a number of developments that we will deliver to strengthen and grow the club game over the next four years."

The top three teams in Section A and the top team in Section B at the end of the season will go forward to the play-offs for the overall title of 'AIB League Division 1 Champions'.

The detail of the new AIB League Division 1 format is:

1. AIB League Division 1 divided into 2 sections of 8 clubs, designated Sections A and B (Sections determined on Division 1 League table ranking at end of 2008-9 season).

2. Sections to play home and away matches (14 matches per team) with the existing points system in place to rank the teams at the conclusion of the sectional matches (four points for win, one point for draw, bonus points for four tries/losing within seven points).

3. AIB League Division 1 final contested by knockout competition as follows:

- 1st Team Section A v 3rd Team Section A

- 2nd Team Section A v 1st Team Section B

- Final to determine AIB League Champion contested between winners of play-offs.

4. Promotion and Relegation to occur as follows:

- Section A bottom two teams relegated to Section B

- Section B top two teams promoted to Section A

- Section B bottom two teams relegated to Division 2

- Division 2 top two teams promoted to Division 1 Section B.