Page 1 of 1
Celtic League agreement reached
Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2005 8:06 pm
by Stan d'Up
Following on from earlier -
Celtic League agreement reached
The Scottish and Irish rugby unions have reached agreement with their Welsh counterparts over a future structure for the Celtic League. Agreement was reached at a summit meeting at Heathrow Airport today.
A statement read: “As a consequence of a very positive and productive meeting in London today the Celtic League Association confirm that the three unions have reached agreement to accommodate the proposed Anglo-Welsh cup competition in the 2005-06 season.â€
No details of the format of the competition have yet been given, although the Celtic League Association are planning to issue a further statement on Monday.
Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2005 8:59 pm
by cables
From:
http://www.scottishrugby.org
We understand this means that a 20-match home and away Celtic League with Wales restored is now back on for this coming season.
Scottish Rugby was represented at the meeting at a hotel at London Heathrow Airport by interim chairman and chief executive Fred McLeod, commercial and marketing director Keith Grainger, and international administration manager, Gregor Nicholson. Representatives from Ireland and Wales were also in attendance as were representatives from the English RFU and the BBC.
From:
http://www.bbc.co.uk
The Celtic League will go ahead as planned next season after the Scottish, Irish and Welsh rugby unions agreed a four-year deal in London on Friday.
Looking good but still awaiting Monday. If a 4 year deal, should be ok for a sponsor timewise.
Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2005 9:06 pm
by colinh
Hip Hip Horray .....glad to see it. As you Cables I shall look forward to Mon to see the detail.
Colin
Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2005 11:25 pm
by cables
Ceefax are also reporting that it has been agreed to hold talks at the end of the season about including Italian teams.
That would seem a little late to achieve the 2006/07 season I think.
Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2005 11:41 pm
by ding dong2u
Well sounds like the blazers finally got their act together. Lets hope for a positive statement from the CL on Monday
Posted: Sat Jun 18, 2005 12:58 am
by Rooster
Good to see all back on for next 4 years
Posted: Sat Jun 18, 2005 9:13 am
by pwrmoore
Excellent news, can we trust parties concerned to keep their commitment for 4 years. I hope so?
Posted: Sat Jun 18, 2005 3:07 pm
by Freddie Benson
promising at the very least
and good to see sense prevail
Posted: Sat Jun 18, 2005 5:33 pm
by Cockatrice
Hopefully they'll put it in writing this time.
Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2005 5:51 pm
by browner
Celtic League compromise revealed
Welsh applaud Celtic League deal
Celtic League agreement reached
Details have been released of the deal that salvaged the Celtic League.
Irish and Scottish teams will not play on international weekends, so Welsh sides will have to play then or midweek to accommodate the Anglo-Welsh Cup.
Wales will make a significant financial contribution to their Celtic partners in return for the fixture alterations.
The league's future is guaranteed for four years, but there is provision for the possible inclusion of Italian sides in that time scale.
It has also been agreed that all teams will start and end their league season on the same date, although the finalised fixture list for next season is still in preparation.
The number of midweek games to be played by the four Welsh regions will be determined by their success in the Heineken Cup and the Anglo-Welsh Cup.
Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2005 5:59 pm
by cables
You beat me to it Browner.
Looks as if it is somewhat similar to what the Welsh released after the "outing".
The bit about all teams finishing their games on the same date is different and in my view was an absolutely essential change.
I see there is still "More to follow".
Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2005 6:34 pm
by pwrmoore
Looks like it will not have the Irish and Scots teams playing on the International week-ends either - so that is a significant change from the original welsh proposal.
Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2005 7:40 pm
by browner
The league's future is guaranteed for four years
Don't know how much we can read into that.
Trust has been the biggest casualty in all of this.
Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2005 10:46 pm
by BR
browner wrote:The league's future is guaranteed for four years
Don't know how much we can read into that.
Trust has been the biggest casualty in all of this.
Exactly - the league's future is guaranteed for four years - or until something better comes along - or until it shrivels up and dies.
My worry is that the league season will be without structure - it will not be symetrical about week 11/12 and we will get to April with the welsh having played less matches than the Irish/Scots. These things make the whole league concept much harder to sell.
