Celtic League - Celtic League gives Italy green light

Eurosport - Thu, 26 Mar 13:28:00 2009

The Celtic Rugby Board have agreed in principle for two Italian teams to join the Celtic League.

RUGBY FIR Italian Rugby Federation logo ball - 0

Providing certain entrance criteria are met, the new teams will be introduced into the competition during the 2010/11 season.

The Italian Rugby Federation (FIR) have been informed of the decision, which was discussed at a Celtic Rugby Board meeting on Wednesday.

Board chairman John Hussey said: "Two Italian teams will join the Celtic League subject to a number of conditions being met.

"These conditions, which will be clearly defined, fall under main headings of playing and facility standards, finance and commercial including television.

"This will be a comprehensive process and will take some time. The board therefore decided that participation could not commence before 2010/2011 season."

The FIR have been keen to secure entrance into the Magners League to expose Italian players to a higher level of competition.

Italy have been the weakest team since entering the Six Nations in 2000 with this year's wooden spoon finish underlining the need to make changes to their club game.

The FIR will enter two franchises - based in either Milan, Rome or Treviso - who will divide the best players operating in the country between them.

But concerns exist over potential revenue loss with few existing Celtic League teams - made up of four sides from Ireland and Wales and two from Scotland - likely to tolerate a drop in earnings to accommodate the Italians.

Hussey said: "The Celtic League is one of the top professional rugby union tournaments in the world.

"That quality is demonstrated by the fact that in the deciding Six Nations match between Wales and Ireland no less than 42 out of the 44 players who took part play their rugby in the Magners League.

"Four of this season's Heineken Cup quarter-finalists are Celtic League teams.

"It's essential that any changes to the structure of this great competition maintain the highest standards."

SportingLife / Eurosport

Comment 1 - 4 of 4

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  1. I'm all for it, it will be great to have an Italian­ side at Firhill occasionally. I don't see where the­ drop in income comes from, if anything gate receipts­ should go up as there is a whole new potential­ audience.

    From the real adrian, on Fri 27 Mar 4:34PM

  2. Great move. Anything to make this league more­ interesting is a good thing. It has to be Benetton­ Treviso and Parma to join I say.

    From The Xentertainer, on Thu 26 Mar 4:15PM

  3. I agree, and any loss of income for the existing clubs­ should be offset by income from italian tv viewing and­ gate receipts. It should make for a great league too.­ nice multinational dimension to it compared with the­ french and english leagues. hopefully Italy benefit and­ six nations gets harder to win.

    From Ads A, on Thu 26 Mar 3:08PM

  4. i welcome this move as it will improve rugby in europe­ as a whole and it will also increase the profile of the­ magner's league...

    From john.oconnor64, on Thu 26 Mar 2:57PM
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