Ian Costello: 'If they didn’t have AIL where would they be playing?'

Player release is mutually beneficial, giving academy and development players valuable playing experience at the coalface of the AIL’s 1A and 1B divisions, though Costello sees a perfect balance of Munster A games and club appearances.

AIL KEY TO MUNSTER SUCCESS: Head of rugby operations Ian Costello during Munster rugby squad training at Thomond Park in Limerick. Picture: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Munster’s Ian Costello has given club rugby a reassuring boost on the eve of the new Energia AIL Men’s season by declaring the province believes the league is “100%” relevant to its success.

As Munster prepare to welcome Connacht to Thomond Park for the opening game of the new URC campaign on Saturday evening, clubs up and down the province will have completed their first games of 2024-25 with defending AIL champions Cork Constitution leading the charge in Division 1A.