Talks for Magners League shake-up

Jan 27 2008 by Simon Roberts, Wales On Sunday

TALKS have begun to make radical changes to the Welsh regions’ fixture list in the next two years.

The structure of the Magners League and the future of the Anglo-Welsh EDF Energy Cup are at the heart of those discussions.

Wales on Sunday understands a proposal to draft two Italian sides into the Magners League is on the table.

And the Anglo-Welsh Cup is expected to be scrapped when the current tournament agreement expires in 2009.

Celtic rugby chiefs have begun informal talks about how they can raise the playing intensity and profile of the Magners League to match that of the Guinness Premiership and the Top 14 in France.

With the Anglo-Welsh Cup expected to be scrapped, Wales, in particular, is desperate to find more fixtures for the Welsh regions.

The loss of the cup competition, due to its flawed structure and English rugby’s desire to cut down on a congested fixture list, will cost Welsh rugby £900,000-a-year.

The introduction of two Italian ‘Super-sides’ or ‘franchises into the Magners League would compensate for the loss of fixtures and much needed gate revenue, but will only be allowed if Italy bring some major sponsors to the league.

New Italian coach Nick Mallett has given his backing to the move.

“Italian rugby needs a higher intensity of rugby,” said the former Springbok coach. “I know it is difficult because of the history of the clubs in Italy, but on a pure rugby basis, two sides playing in the Magners League would be great for Italian rugby.

“It would certainly be a step up and help us meet the challenge of playing in the Heineken Cup.

“It would also help the Italian national side and expose more Italian players to tougher rugby.

“If this is about improving the standard of Italian rugby, it has to happen. But that decision is obviously not mine and one for Italian rugby to decide.”

Mallett isn’t the first Italy coach to underline the need for sides to play in the Magners League.

John Kirwan, the former Italian coach, was a big advocate of two ‘Super-sides’ playing the Celtic Nations, week-in, week-out.

But the introduction of two Italian sides into the tournament isn’t the only reform of the Magners League on the table.

A Guinness Premiership-style play-off is also at the heart of the blueprint to boost the playing standard and excitement of the Magners League.

Celtic rugby chiefs have recognised the growing success of the English and French domestic leagues after the 2007 World Cup.

The success of England, France and, in particular, Argentina, who have most of their players in the English and French leagues, has forced a re-think of the tournament’s format.

But one of the most controversial changes is the desire, by the Welsh and the Irish, to see the Magners League used for Heineken Cup qualification.

The proposals mean that the top seven sides, from whatever country, in the Magners would qualify for Europe’s premier rugby tournament.

The current qualification process guarantees that the top three Welsh regions, the top three Irish provinces, and two Scottish districts qualify for Europe.

But, under the new proposal, opposed by the Scots, only the top seven finishers would qualify for Europe.

The current Celtic Accord, which secures the future of the Celtic League, expires in 2010.

If an agreement can be reached to introduce a tougher qualification process, which would be welcomed by the English and the French clubs, there is still one final hurdle to ensure the introduction of the Italians.

Under European rugby’s Paris Accord, the agreement which guarantees the Heineken Cup, four nations playing in the same domestic tournament is not allowed.

But the trade-off could be the introduction of Heineken Cup qualification, for all four nations, based on where they finish in the Magners League.