Magners League format gets a twist
Wed, 27 Aug 2008 17:59
The Magners League has announced plans to include a knock-out phase at the end of its round-robin stages from the 2009/10 season onwards.
The knockout phase is set to follow the same format as the Super 14 and the Guinness Premiership tournaments, with the four top teams form the league stages entering into semifinal competition.
The two successful semifinalists would then in turn contest a Grand Final for the Magners League title.
The plans were unveiled on Wednesday by Celtic Rugby and tournament sponsors, Magners, at the Royal Dublin Society Ground in Dublin.
Director of Celtic Rugby, David Jordan, said that he was delighted with the plans, and that it was imperative that Celtic teams established themselves as top class entities on the European and world stage.
"Having firmly established the Magners League as one of the most exciting and competitive leagues in world rugby, the task ahead of us this coming season, along with our sponsor Magners Irish Cider, is to build upon that success," Jordan said.
"Fans have continued to show they appreciate the rugby that is on display in our competition as, for the fourth successive season, average attendances have again risen, by 13 percent over the last year alone. Aligned to TV, radio and website audiences, more fans then ever before are enjoying Magners League rugby.
"Magners League teams and players also enjoyed success in other competitions last season - the RBS Six Nations Champions, Heineken Cup and Anglo-Welsh Cup winners are from amongst our ranks - whilst the representation of capped players in Magners League games is higher than other European leagues. With the prospect of a British and Irish Lions tour at the end of the season this is the ideal time for those players to make their mark.
"Celtic Rugby is always striving to align itself with other professional rugby tournaments around the world, consequently this season will be the last that the Magners League is played in its present format.
"I am pleased to announce that from 2009/10 we will be introducing an end of season play-off to determine the Magners League Champions with the top four teams qualifying for the knockout stage.
"Also going forward we intend to address the irregular nature of the competition by creating a rhythmic season, achievable as Magners League weekends will not compete with any other tournament.
"A Grand Final will provide a great day out for fans and commercial partners alike, the emphasis will not just be about the participating finalists but a great celebration of Celtic Rugby on and off the pitch.
"The Magners League is one of the leading competitions in world rugby, and I would like to thank our title sponsor, Magners Irish Cider, for their continued support of the tournament."
