The League have released heartening attendance figures across the board in 2004/05, with an overall increase of '9%' tallied up on a 'like-by-like' basis with last season.

After 20 rounds of Celtic League action, over 424,000 spectators have watched the 100 staged matches so far - as equivalent to 389,000 for last year.

In Ireland, there has been an overall increase of 8% in League attendances, with the burgeoning popularity of rugby across the Irish sea in Wales, boosting gates there by a full 18%.

The highest 2004/05 Celtic League attendances for the four provinces were as follows:

Connacht: L0-3 v Munster (4,500), The Sportground (December 27, 2004)

Leinster: W17-15 v Munster (6,500), Donnybrook (September 18, 2004)

Munster: W19-13 V Scarlets (9,000), Thomond Park (October 3, 2004)

Ulster: L21-28 v Dragons (8,145), Ravenhill (October 8, 2004)