THE Magners league was officially launched this week ahead of the opening round of games Friday and Saturday week. There is a new format this season for a league which is growing in popularity and importance on the rugby calendar.
The top four teams at the end of the 18 game season will enter into a playoff system, similar to that used by the Guiness Premiership. The first and second placed teams will have home advantage for the semi finals and once all four teams in the semi’s are know, then the governing body will announce a venue for the final. The dates for the semi finals and final are the weekends of 14/15/16 of May with the final to be played on the 28/29/30 of May.
Speaking at the launch Munster’s Paul O’Connell welcomed the new changes. “I think that as a tournament now it is getting stronger. Going into the last round of games last season there were six or seven teams who could have been in the top four so that aspect adds a new dimension as well as getting rid of any dead rubbers at the end of the year. The new format also benefits teams that give alot of players to their national teams. Look at Wasps in England. I don’t think they ever finished top of the Premiership, but they have won several titles in the playoff system. To be playing more high profile games in good weather in May is the target and the change is very much an exciting assest to the league itself”.
Munster kick off their campaign against Glasgow on Friday the 4th and the first home game will be the following weekend against Cardiff on the 11th. Munster’s Lions are not back in action until week 5 of the league, which is none other than the Leinster game.
In other Munster news. Paul O’Connell confirmed that he “would be delighted” to be the captain again this season, but the decision on who it is going to be will not be made until this weekend when the squad gets together. Paul would not be drawn on how they pick the captain, but I am sure that there will be little resistance to the Lions captain being returned.
