IRFU & WRU launch The Celtic Cup to Develop Emerging Talent

The competition which features development squads from Connacht, Leinster, Munster, Ulster, Blues, Dragons, Scarlets and the Ospreys aims to provide a learning environment for players, coaches and referees by re-creating the week to week challenges presented by senior professional rugby.

The competition will run over seven consecutive weeks commencing on the weekend of the 7-8^th September.  Teams will have to prepare for a different opposition each week, manage their physical preparation and recovery and analyse their performances as they grow as individuals and collectively.

Competition Format

The eight teams will be divided into two conferences of four Welsh regions and four Irish provinces. Each Irish province will play each of the Welsh regions and will play against two Irish provinces.  Similarly the Welsh regions will play each of the Irish provinces and will play two of their Welsh counterparts.  The top ranked Province from the Irish conference will play the top ranked Region from the Welsh conference in the inaugural final (venue tbc).

David Nucifora, IRFU Performance Director, commented, “The Celtic Cup will bring significant value to the development of our emerging professional players, referees and coaches and support staff.  It will challenge them to perform and manage themselves within a professional competition structure throughout a week to week campaign similar to the Guinness Pro14. 

The Celtic Cup is also a fantastic vehicle for the development of our next tier of coaches who will have to take the learnings from games each week to drive performance across the competition.

 The IRFU are cognisant of the important role that our domestic club competitions play in the development of young players.  The scheduling of the Celtic Cup is intended to be complimentary to the club game and create a supportive season structure into the future.”

WRU Head of Rugby Performance Geraint John added, “We are excited about this new development for the performance pathway in Wales.

“The Celtic Cup will help develop players into senior professionals while also promoting and improving Welsh coaches and other performance staff such as strength and conditioning coaches, analysts and referees.

“The block programme of matches will greatly help all involved to build week to week in a professional environment and competition structure, helping to underpin the development of future regional and international players.” 

Pool 1
Connacht
Leinster
Munster
Ulster

Pool 2
Blues
Dragons
Ospreys
Scarlets                                                      

FIXTURES 

Weekend 1 – September 7^th

Munster v Connacht, Irish Independent Park KO 17.30

Ulster v Leinster, Malone RFC, KO 17.00

Ospreys v Scarlets, Brigend RFC, KO 19.00

Dragons v Cardiff Blues, Rodney Parade KO 19.15

Weekend 2 – September 14^th

Ulster v Scarlets, Instonians/Cooke RFC KO 19.00

Weekend 2 – September 15^th

Leinster v Cardiff Blues, Energia Park KO14.00

Ospreys v Munster, Swansea RFC KO 14.00

Dragons v Connacht, CCSE Ystrad Mynach KO 14.30

Weekend 3 – September 21^st

Munster v Dragons, Irish Independent Park KO 17.30

Connacht v Ospreys, Dubarry Park KO 19.00

Weekend 3 – September 2^nd

Scarlets v Leinster, Parc Y Scarlets KO 14.30

Cardiff Blues v Ulster, Cardiff Arms Park KO 14.30

Weekend 4 – September 28th

Leinster v Ospreys, Energia Park KO 19.30

Weekend 4 – September 29th

Cardiff Blues v Munster, Cardiff Arms Park KO 14.00

Ulster v Dragons, Ballymena Park KO 14.30

Scarlets v Connacht, Carmarthen RFC KO 14.30

Weekend 5 – October 5^th 

Munster v Scarlets, Irish Independent Park KO 19.30

Ospreys v Ulster, Swansea RFC KO 19.00

Weekend 5 – October 6^th 

Dragons v Leinster, CCSE Ystrad Mynach KO 14.30

Connacht v Cardiff Blues, Galway Sportsground KO TB C

Weekend 6 – October 12,13,14

Leinster v Munster TBC

Connacht v Ulster TBC

Cardiff Blues v Ospreys TBC

Scarlets v Dragons TBC

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