Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Ben Brady
Danny Brosnan
As the interprovincials reach there climax and the Celtic Challenge on the way during December and for 10 rounds. Is it time for both competitions to just simply merge?
The interpros.
Men’s or women’s. Nothing really beats an interprovincial match. Whether it’s Munster vs Leinster, Connacht vs Ulster or any other combinations. Nothing really beats the pride of putting on the provincial jersey. While we’re guaranteed six rounds of the men’s in the URC. Unfortunately we are only getting four of those in the women’s and one is a finals weekend. Personally I’d prefer to the go the entire six and have it on a league system like in previous years. Yes the extra round for finals is great to have but realistically it’s not the same as a league system.
But is it the right time to have it wrap up at the end of August and to have to wait the four months for the Celtic Challenge for these players get back into camp again? Not for me. If the interpros are meant to get the best players for Wolfhounds and Clovers wouldn’t it be better that one competition lead into the next? In this case it would be.
But………
Wolfhounds, Clovers and Celtic cousins.
I know the Celtic Challenge is only entering it’s third season this year. While progressing from just three teams to six and now those six in over 10 rounds are great for developing players and getting further progression of talented players. The only rfu I see making the right choice was the Scottish RFU in using Glasgow and Edinburgh. Teams with well established fan bases. I know it’s tougher for the WRU and IRFU to do this with only two slots a piece. But having combination sides kinda loses the appeal to an extent given the parochial nature in this country of province over combination sides.
Looking back to see the future.
One of the big issues here is that the AIL is still considered the top competition for women’s rugby here with the Interpros and Celtic Challenge as the filters into the national squad.
Now I hope this happens sooner than later.
But I’d much prefer the AIL be used as a feeder to the provincial teams who compete in the Celtic Challenge.
Something like the men’s side of the game a quarter of a century ago in the early days of the Celtic League. Not only would it get the cream of the crop in every province wanting to play for there province. It would also help with the number of rounds jumping from 10 to a minimum of 14. Getting more supporters interested in the games and probably attending as well.
An expansion into Italy with games to round out the league would be another big addition. Not only trying to have double header weekends or days would also help attract bigger crowds. For example a Leinster vs Connacht double header. The women’s on first at Donnybrook and then the 10 minute walk up to the RDS for the men’s game. Munster, Ulster and Connacht games might be harder for them to host unless it’s one the previous day and another the following unless it’s a one day double header which is possible.
Worth it’s weight.
Obviously there’d be teething issues with anything like this expansion and combination of two rugby competitions and with an adjustment to the AIL it’ll make it tough on players and clubs to field teams at first. Yet it’ll be a step in the right direction. Not only for investment but also for growth of the game and matches shown. It would also give a an opportunity to have a women’s Champions Cup option to compete in. Something that will really help towards the promotion of the game in that respect.
Idealistic day dreams or a reality that’s needed.
In a perfect world this would happen. The Celtic Challenge/Pro League would happen with Champions Cup events and a smooth calendar of events but. In the harsh reality of the situation it’ll cause more disruption than harmony. Yet the groundwork is being laid and hopefully it does take off. But for now, all good ideas don’t translate into an ideal situation in real life.