The IRFU and the WRU have joined forces to create a new development competition – The Celtic Cup – for the emerging professional players from the four Irish provinces and four Welsh regions.
The competition which features development squads from Connacht, Leinster, Munster, Ulster, Blues, Dragons, Scarlets and the Ospreys aims to provide a learning environment for players, coaches and referees by re-creating the week to week challenges presented by senior professional rugby.
The competition will run over seven consecutive weeks commencing on 7 September. Teams will have to prepare for a different opposition each week, manage their physical preparation and recovery and analyse their performances as they grow as individuals and collectively.
Competition Format:
The eight teams will be divided into two conferences of four Welsh regions and four Irish provinces. Each Irish province will play each of the Welsh regions and will play against two Irish provinces. Similarly the Welsh regions will play each of the Irish provinces and will play two of their Welsh counterparts. The top ranked Province from the Irish conference will play the top ranked Region from the Welsh conference in the inaugural final (venue tbc).
David Nucifora, IRFU Performance Director, commented, “The Celtic Cup will bring significant value to the development of our emerging professional players, referees and coaches and support staff. It will challenge them to perform and manage themselves within a professional competition structure throughout a week to week campaign similar to the Guinness Pro14.
“The Celtic Cup is also a fantastic vehicle for the development of our next tier of coaches who will have to take the learnings from games each week to drive performance across the competition.”
WRU Head of Rugby Performance Geraint John added, “We are excited about this new development for the performance pathway in Wales.
“The Celtic Cup will help develop players into senior professionals while also promoting and improving Welsh coaches and other performance staff such as strength and conditioning coaches, analysts and referees.
“The block programme of matches will greatly help all involved to build week to week in a professional environment and competition structure, helping to underpin the development of future regional and international players.”
Additional Information:
Pool 1
Connacht
Leinster
Munster
Ulster
Pool 2
Blues
Dragons
Ospreys
Scarlets
Fixtures
Weekend 1 – Sep 7.8.9
Munster v Connacht
Ulster v Leinster
Ospreys v Scarlets - Friday 7th, Morganstone Brewery Field, 7pm KO
Dragons v Cardiff Blues
Weekend 2 – Sep 14.15.16
Leinster v Cardiff Blues
Ospreys v Munster - Saturday 15th, St Helen's, 2pm KO
Ulster v Scarlets
Dragons v Connacht
Weekend 3 – Sep 21,22,23
Scarlets v Leinster
Munster v Dragons
Cardiff Blues v Ulster
Connacht v Ospreys
Weekend 4 – Sep 28.29.30
Leinster v Ospreys
Cardiff Blues v Munster
Ulster v Dragons
Scarlets v Connacht
Weekend 5 – Oct 5,6,7
Dragons v Leinster
Munster v Scarlets
Ospreys v Ulster - Friday 5th, Morganstone Brewery Field, 7pm KO
Connacht v Cardiff Blues
Weekend 6 – Oct 12,13,14
Leinster v Munster
Connacht v Ulster
Cardiff Blues v Ospreys
Scarlets v Dragons