Irish rugby union system
Encyclopedia
The top level of competition in the Irish rugby union system is the Celtic League
(currently known for sponsorship purposes as the RaboDirect Pro12), a league of professional teams originally from Ireland, Scotland, and Wales that expanded to include two Italian teams in the 2010–11 season. Ireland currently has four entries in the RaboDirect Pro12.
Ireland also has a domestic competition the All Ireland League
and Provincial Leagues run by the different provincial branches of the Irish Rugby Football Union
(IRFU).
. After the first season, a third Scottish team, representing the Borders region, joined. The league saw radical change for the 2003–04 season, as the Welsh Rugby Union adopted a controversial plan to regionalise the country's professional rugby setup. The existing professional clubs were reorganised into five regional sides and the Welsh Premier Division was demoted to a developmental league. One of the original Welsh regional teams was folded after that season, resulting in an 11-team league.
In 2006, the competition became the Magners League via a sponsorship deal with Irish cider maker Magners. After the 2006–07 season, the Scottish Rugby Union folded the Borders side for financial reasons, leaving the league with 10 members. The league expanded to include two Italian super-regional franchises starting with the 2010–11 season, which proved to be the last under Magners sponsorship. The league found a new sponsor in RaboDirect, the Irish subsidiary of Dutch financial services company Rabobank.
Since its inception, the Celtic League has been a closed league with no promotion or relegation. Under current rules, the three Irish teams that finish highest in the league receive berths in the following season's Heineken Cup
, with the remaining provincial side taking part in the European Challenge Cup
. Starting with the 2009–10 season, the winners of both European cups have earned berths in the following season's Heineken Cup separately from their countries' normal allocations. From the inception of the Celtic League through the 2010–11 season, the three traditional provincial powers of Leinster
, Munster
and Ulster
claimed all of Ireland's Heineken Cup places, leaving Connacht
to carry the counrry's banner in the Challenge Cup. In 2011–12, all four of Ireland's provinces will compete in the Heineken Cup; Leinster's victory in the 2011 Heineken Cup Final
gave Ireland a fourth Heineken Cup berth, which passed to Connacht as Leinster were already qualified via the Celtic League.
. This was started in 1990 and has now expanded to three divisions with a total of 48 senior clubs.
In each division the club finishing on top after the league series will receive a Union plaque but is not deemed the champion club of that division. Champions of each division are decided on a play-off of the top four clubs. First plays fourth & second plays third. The winners then meet in a final.
The bottom two clubs in division one are relegated to division two; they are replaced by the top two clubs from division two. Similarly, the bottom two from division two are replaced by the top two from AIB Division Three
. The team finishing last in division three are relegated and replaced by the winner of the round robin competition between the winners of the Connacht,
Munster, Leinster and Ulster provincial Leagues.
.
The provincial leagues include the following Senior club sides:
Celtic League (rugby union)
The Celtic League is an annual rugby union competition involving professional sides from Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales....
(currently known for sponsorship purposes as the RaboDirect Pro12), a league of professional teams originally from Ireland, Scotland, and Wales that expanded to include two Italian teams in the 2010–11 season. Ireland currently has four entries in the RaboDirect Pro12.
Ireland also has a domestic competition the All Ireland League
AIB League
The Ulster Bank All-Ireland League is the national league system for the 48 senior rugby union clubs in Ireland, covering both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. It is not, however, the highest level of rugby union in Ireland, as teams representing the four provinces of Ireland play...
and Provincial Leagues run by the different provincial branches of the Irish Rugby Football Union
Irish Rugby Football Union
The Irish Rugby Football Union is the body managing rugby union in Ireland. The IRFU has its head office at 10/12 Lansdowne Road and home ground at Aviva Stadium, where Irish rugby union international matches are played...
(IRFU).
RaboDirect Pro12
The league now known as the RaboDirect Pro12 was created in 2001 as the Celtic League (which remains the non-sponsored name) with 15 teams from the Celtic nations—the four Irish provinces, teams from both of Scotland's largest cities, and all nine teams from the Welsh Premier DivisionWelsh Premier Division
The Welsh Premier Division is a rugby union league in Wales first implemented by the Welsh Rugby Union for the 1990–91 season.-Competition history:...
. After the first season, a third Scottish team, representing the Borders region, joined. The league saw radical change for the 2003–04 season, as the Welsh Rugby Union adopted a controversial plan to regionalise the country's professional rugby setup. The existing professional clubs were reorganised into five regional sides and the Welsh Premier Division was demoted to a developmental league. One of the original Welsh regional teams was folded after that season, resulting in an 11-team league.
In 2006, the competition became the Magners League via a sponsorship deal with Irish cider maker Magners. After the 2006–07 season, the Scottish Rugby Union folded the Borders side for financial reasons, leaving the league with 10 members. The league expanded to include two Italian super-regional franchises starting with the 2010–11 season, which proved to be the last under Magners sponsorship. The league found a new sponsor in RaboDirect, the Irish subsidiary of Dutch financial services company Rabobank.
Since its inception, the Celtic League has been a closed league with no promotion or relegation. Under current rules, the three Irish teams that finish highest in the league receive berths in the following season's Heineken Cup
Heineken Cup
The Heineken Cup is one of two annual rugby union competitions organised by European Rugby Cup involving leading club, regional and provincial teams from the six International Rugby Board countries in Europe whose national teams compete in the Six Nations Championship: England, France, Ireland,...
, with the remaining provincial side taking part in the European Challenge Cup
European Challenge Cup
The European Challenge Cup, currently known for sponsorship reasons as the Amlin Challenge Cup, is one of two annual rugby union competitions organised by European Rugby Cup. The cup was known as the Parker Pen Shield from 2001 to 2003 and Parker Pen Challenge Cup from 2003 to 2005. The European...
. Starting with the 2009–10 season, the winners of both European cups have earned berths in the following season's Heineken Cup separately from their countries' normal allocations. From the inception of the Celtic League through the 2010–11 season, the three traditional provincial powers of Leinster
Leinster Rugby
Leinster Rugby, usually referred to simply as Leinster, is an Irish professional rugby union team based in Dublin, representing the Irish province of Leinster, that competes in the RaboDirect Pro 12 and also competes in the Heineken Cup...
, Munster
Munster Rugby
Munster Rugby is an Irish professional rugby union team based in Munster, that competes in the RaboDirect Pro12 and Heineken Cup.The team represents the Irish Rugby Football Union Munster Branch which is one of four primary branches of the IRFU, and is responsible for rugby union in the Irish...
and Ulster
Ulster Rugby
Ulster Rugby, usually referred to simply as Ulster, is an Irish professional rugby union team based in Belfast, representing the Irish province of Ulster, that competes in the RaboDirect Pro12 and also competes in the Heineken Cup...
claimed all of Ireland's Heineken Cup places, leaving Connacht
Connacht Rugby
Connacht Rugby is an Irish professional rugby union team based in Connacht that competes in the RaboDirect Pro12 comprising teams from the Celtic nations plus Italy. Normally, it also competes in the second-tier pan-European club competition, the European Challenge Cup...
to carry the counrry's banner in the Challenge Cup. In 2011–12, all four of Ireland's provinces will compete in the Heineken Cup; Leinster's victory in the 2011 Heineken Cup Final
2011 Heineken Cup Final
The 2011 Heineken Cup Final was the final match of the 2010–11 Heineken Cup, the 16th season of Europe's top club rugby union competition. The match was played on 21 May 2011 at Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales. The match was contested by Northampton Saints of England and Leinster of Ireland,...
gave Ireland a fourth Heineken Cup berth, which passed to Connacht as Leinster were already qualified via the Celtic League.
All Ireland League
The main domestic league in Ireland is the All Ireland LeagueAIB League
The Ulster Bank All-Ireland League is the national league system for the 48 senior rugby union clubs in Ireland, covering both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. It is not, however, the highest level of rugby union in Ireland, as teams representing the four provinces of Ireland play...
. This was started in 1990 and has now expanded to three divisions with a total of 48 senior clubs.
In each division the club finishing on top after the league series will receive a Union plaque but is not deemed the champion club of that division. Champions of each division are decided on a play-off of the top four clubs. First plays fourth & second plays third. The winners then meet in a final.
The bottom two clubs in division one are relegated to division two; they are replaced by the top two clubs from division two. Similarly, the bottom two from division two are replaced by the top two from AIB Division Three
AIB Division Three
The AIB Division Three is a rugby union league in Ireland.-Past winners:-Current Teams:*Ards*Banbridge*Barnhall*Connemara*Corinthians*County Carlow*Midleton*Naas*Nenagh Ormond*Old Wesley*Portadown*Queen's University*Rainey Old Boys...
. The team finishing last in division three are relegated and replaced by the winner of the round robin competition between the winners of the Connacht,
Munster, Leinster and Ulster provincial Leagues.
Provincial Leagues
There are four provincial leagues based on the historic provinces of Connacht, Munster, Leinster and Ulster. The winners of each provincial league play a round robin competition with the winner being promoted to the AIB Division ThreeAIB Division Three
The AIB Division Three is a rugby union league in Ireland.-Past winners:-Current Teams:*Ards*Banbridge*Barnhall*Connemara*Corinthians*County Carlow*Midleton*Naas*Nenagh Ormond*Old Wesley*Portadown*Queen's University*Rainey Old Boys...
.
The provincial leagues include the following Senior club sides:
| Connacht | Munster | Leinster | Ulster |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Clontarf RFC Clontarf Football Club. Having played firstly in a field at the bottom of Vernon Avenue, then on a site currently used by Dublin Bus as a Depot., the club moved to its present location in 1896 and celebrated 100 years at Castle Avenue in 1996. The Bull Emblem used in the logo is that of the... Blackrock College RFC Blackrock College Rugby Football Club is a rugby union club located in Blackrock, Dublin, Ireland. The club was founded in 1882 by former pupils of Blackrock College... Old Belvedere Old Belvedere is a senior rugby club in Dublin, Ireland, based at Anglesea Road. Old Belvedere R.F.C. was founded in 1930. Originally an exclusive club for past pupils of Belvedere College the club became 'open' to all players on 22 April 1976.... Terenure College RFC Terenure College RFC was founded on November 14th 1940. It is a senior rugby club in Dublin, Ireland.-History:Terenure College RFC was founded on November 14th 1940. With a great love for the game and concerned that past pupils were not playing rugby union after leaving school, Rev... Greystones RFC Greystones Rugby Football Club is a rugby union team based in Greystones, County Wicklow in the Republic of Ireland. The club was formed in 1937. They won their first trophy in1944 when they won the Metropolitan League... Bective Rangers Bective Rangers is a rugby union club in Dublin, Ireland founded in 1881.The Club is affiliated to the Leinster Branch of the Irish Rugby Football Union and play in Division 2 of the All Ireland League.... Seapoint RFC Seapoint RFC is acommunity based Irish rugby club located in Killiney, County Dublin. The club also provides a key focal point for players attending rugby schools who live in the Cabinteely/Killiney/Ballybrack and greater Dun Laoghaire area.... Suttonians RFC Suttonians Rugby Football Club, now in its 85th year of existence, is affiliated to the Irish Rugby Football Union. The first team play in Division 3 of the All Ireland League.... Barnhall RFC Barnhall Rugby Football Club is a rugby club in Leixlip, County Kildare near Dublin. The club has a very successful history and one of the largest youth rugby programmes in Ireland. Barnhall has 7 senior teams including an under 20's team, a ladies team and underage teams from 19's to 13's at youth... Naas RFC Naas RFC is an Irish rugby team based in Naas, Leinster. They play in division 2B of the All-Ireland League. The club colours are green and white hoops with black shorts and green socks. The Club is the biggest club in Kildare with one of the biggest underage structures in Leinster... Old Wesley Old Wesley Rugby Football Club was founded in 1891 from the past pupils of Wesley College, Dublin. Since then it has become one of Leinster's most famous clubs. The club won the Leinster Senior Cup in 1909 and 1985 as well as winning the AIL Division 2 title in 1989... |
Ards RFC Ards RFC is a rugby club based in Newtownards, County Down, Northern Ireland. It is affiliated to the Ulster Branch of the Irish Rugby Football Union. The club currently fields five adult teams and an under-20 team. Three youth teams also play at under-18, under-16 and under-14 levels... Ballymena RFC Ballymena Rugby Football Club is a rugby union club based in the town of Ballymena, Northern Ireland. It is affiliated to the Ulster branch of the Irish Rugby Football Union. The club fields six adult teams and an under-20 team. In youth rugby there are under-18, under-16 and under-14 teams... Ballynahinch RFC Ballynahinch Rugby Club is an Irish rugby union club based in the County Down town of Ballynahinch in Northern Ireland. Founded in 1954, the club is affiliated to the Ulster Branch of the Irish Rugby Football Union.... Banbridge RFC Banbridge RFC is a rugby union club based in Banbridge, County Down, in the province of Ulster. It currently plays in Division 2B of the Ulster Bank All Ireland League. In addition to the senior team, the club fields another four adult junior-standard teams, and youth U19, U17, U15 and U13 teams,... Belfast Harlequins Belfast Harlequins is a multi-sports club located off the Malone Road in south Belfast, Northern Ireland. The club name provides the overall umbrella for rugby union, men's and ladies' hockey and squash... Dungannon RFC Dungannon RFC is a rugby union club from Dungannon, Northern Ireland. The club first team plays in the AIB League Division One, Ulster Senior League and Ulster Senior Cup.-History:... Instonians Instonians is the name of the umbrella organisation that incorporates rugby union, men's and ladies' hockey and cricket sections. There is also a golf society that plays under the Instonians name.... Malone RFC Malone RFC is a rugby union club based in Belfast, in Northern Ireland. It is currently in the Second Division of the All-Ireland League. The club is affiliated with the Ulster Branch, itself part of the Irish Rugby Football Union... Portadown RFC In February 1879, the Irish Rugby Football Union was formed, and listed Poratadown as an affiliated club, with Thomas John Collen as the honorary secretary. T.J Collen played for the first County Armagh side against Ulster on 27 November 1880.The Boat Club... Queen's University RFC Queen's University Rugby Football Club is the rugby union team of Queen's University Belfast. Founded in 1869, it is the second oldest rugby union club in Northern Ireland . They originally played as Queen's College, Belfast and have won the Ulster Senior Cup a record 21 times... Rainey Old Boys Rugby Club Rainey Old Boys Rugby Football Club is situated in the market town of Magherafelt, County Londonderry. It is one of the eleven current senior rugby union clubs in Northern Ireland... |