WRU PROPOSES CELTIC LEAGUE FIXTURE LIST

WRU chairman David Pickering said, “We firmly believe this proposal for a Celtic League fixture list services the needs and desires of all the players, coaches, fans, sponsors, administrators and broadcasters within Wales, Ireland and Scotland. It delivers a highly competitive and attractive league tournament that would be an improvement on last year’s Celtic League because it would be the sole means of qualification to the Heineken Cup for all parties.

“It is obvious to us that our proposed Celtic League structure is a far superior competition to any alternative that has been mooted and we ask those involved to consider its benefits in business and rugby terms. We have the full support of our regions on what we are aiming to achieve.

“We wish to place on record our firm long term commitment to the Celtic League and we are trying to be conciliatory in our attitude towards our Celtic League partners.”

Comments from the Welsh Regions:

Peter Thomas (Blues), “We believe the proposed fixture list can accommodate the aims of our Celtic League partners along with the desires of the fans, players and broadcasters.  We support our Union position.”

Stuart Gallagher (Scarlets), “We are prepared to commit to the Celtic League for the long-term – we believe the Celtic League fixture list is exciting and challenging.  We support the position taken by our Union.”

Martin Hazell (Dragons), “We believe the WRU is doing the right thing.  We back them 100%.”

Mike Cuddy (Ospreys), “We are working as one with the WRU over the Celtic League issue.”

CL1 – indicates Celtic League Round 1, etc.
CL D – indicates a ‘Domestic’ round of the CL i.e. involves Welsh Regions playing Welsh Regions, Irish Provinces playing Irish Provinces & Scottish Regions playing Scottish Regions, – which is normal.
Wales CL 1D would be played on w/e 3rd Sept, for Ireland & Scotland it would be played on w/e 8th Oct.
The Irish & Scots would start the season on Sept 10th, – which is their preference.
Wales could play CL 8 D during the Autumn Series, on a w/e which becomes available during the season, or even mid-week.
It would require the playing of some CL rounds on International weekends but by limiting these to the final games in the Autumn Series and Six Nations would allow national coaches to free up all but the match day 22 of their squads without the fear of injuries effecting up-coming internationals, as there are none.
Other than the final game of the 6N there would be no games on 6N internationals.
It would require one other international weekend for the Irish & Scots, taken in this example as the 1st game in the Autumn Series but could be any or allowed for as in 9. below.
Within the knock out stages of the ERC and AW there are potentially 5 free weekends, into which games could be rescheduled