At youth level, all under 18 players and their coaches will be in receipt of a players identification card, complete with photo and relevant personal details.

The programme is crucial for the IRFU as it will provide the administrators of the game at Club, Provincial and National level with critical management information and accurate statistics vital to game development and competition organisation.

Eddie Wigglesworth, Director of Rugby Development for the IRFU, said, "This new card system will ensure that players will be instantly recognisable, making the administration of official competitions much easier for the games administrators. It will also allows us to track the development of the game throughout Ireland by having a live register of active players."

As part of the new programme, players will now enjoy a 10% discount off Canterbury products on production of the card at time of purchase in Elverys stores nationwide.

The IRFU wishes to thank the sponsors of the programme, Canterbury of New Zealand and Elverys, and the Clubs of Ireland for their assistance in the introduction of this new and exciting initiative.