Celtic League Season Confirmed

A statement from the Celtic League Association on Monday confirmed the go-ahead for the 2005/06 Celtic League season, with a fixture list currently being finalised.

The statement, issued by CLA Chairman John Hussey, read: “Further to the press statement issued by the Celtic League on Friday, June 17, the future of the Celtic League for a period of four years is now confirmed.

“At present a detailed fixture list is being prepared which will follow certain principles:

* Competition will commence and complete on the same dates for all teams

* Irish and Scottish teams will not be playing on international weekends

* Welsh teams will be required to play some mid-week matches to accommodate the Anglo-Welsh Cup

* The extent to which they do so will be determined by the progress Welsh teams make to the knockout stages of the Anglo-Welsh Cup and the Heineken Cup

* An offer from the WRU (Welsh Rugby Union) to make a significant additional financial contribution has been accepted

* The potential future inclusion of Italian teams is provided for in the four year agreement

* A further announcement will be made when the 2005/06-fixture list is finalised