RUGBY: The Celtic League ceased to exist last night after Welsh teams were thrown out of the competition by the Irish and Scottish unions at a meeting in London. The move is a reaction to the Welsh Rugby Union announcing its participation in an Anglo-Welsh Cup that will take up five weekends next season.
In a huge backward step for Irish rugby, the home provinces' season will now consist of a 12-game cross-border league with the three Scottish teams, on a home and away basis, with a cup competition to follow.
"The Scottish and Irish Rugby Unions are disappointed that the Welsh Rugby Union did not consult its partners in the Celtic League prior to making commitments to the Anglo-Welsh Cup, given the serious negative consequences it has on the Celtic League," read an IRFU statement.
"It is hoped that discussions may continue between the Irish, Scottish and Welsh Rugby Unions along with the Italian Rugby Federation to structure a new competition in season 2006-07 which would incorporate four Irish teams, three Scottish teams, four Italian teams and four Welsh teams."
WRU chief executive David Moffett said the Welsh preference is to play a cup competition against English clubs over the proposed Rainbow Cup, which would include Italian and South African teams. The carrot here is that all four Welsh teams will receive £250,000 from sponsorship and television rights. Despite its four-year existence, the Celtic League has yet to find a title sponsor.
"We were, are and would have remained 100 per cent committed to a fully-fledged Celtic League in whatever guise it takes next season," said Moffett. "We did not wish to be part of the proposed Rainbow Cup competition, yet we supported Scotland and Ireland if that's what they wanted to do. We saw our future in those terms in the form of an Anglo-Welsh competition but our Celtic counterparts were not able to see their way clear to supporting us in that. It would have meant some cooperation next season in terms of a small number of weekends, but we felt that was feasible."
The IRFU will try to organise extra matches against Southern Hemisphere opposition next season but the Rainbow Cup is looking like a non-runner.
There were rumours last year that the Welsh union were attempting to gain entry to the Powergen Cup (English Cup), but they denied this at a meeting in October 2004 when all three unions agreed not to break ranks.
Whispers continued and in February this year, after the Welsh again denied such a move, the English union confirmed discussions were at an advanced stage.
Yesterday's impasse looked to have been avoided on April 4th when the three unions agreed on a 20-game Celtic League format to incorporate Heineken European Cup qualification. Also, it was agreed international weekends would be Celtic League free zones. Wales reneged on this agreement on April 14th.
"We think the Irish and Scottish reaction is akin to taking the ball home," continued Moffatt. "We believe if you want to be the best you have to play against the best. This current situation is not going to help us bridge the gap with the big five of world rugby."
Welsh officials will meet their regions today to discuss the decision made by Ireland and Scotland but as it stands all three nations have a substantial void in their fixture lists.
The reaction from the Irish provinces last night was clear: "Commercially, it is a disaster as a loss of games means a loss of revenue so if there is a possibility we hope they will look at it again," said Connacht chief executive Gerry Kelly.
Leinster chief executive Mick Dawson said: "I would hope they can get back to the table. We have sold a stack of tickets for next season already and it makes life very difficult as sponsors are on board for a full season. The ramifications are huge."
