Celtic route the way forward

The final between Cork Constitution and Dungannon at Lansdowne Road tomorrow could mark the end of big club matches in Ireland. With the growing importance of the interprovincial series, the European Cup and next season the establishment of the Celtic League in an already cluttered year, the club scene is quickly assuming a new complexion.

"I think this is probably the last of the big games of club rugby," said former international and Dungannon coach Willie Anderson. In Dublin to promote the All-Ireland League final, Anderson sees the game moving towards higher standards with the clubs becoming repositories for injured players on their way back to provincial or international level or breeding grounds for younger players on their way up.

"I believe that the Celtic League will take the standard up another notch and maybe in a couple of years time we'll have a British league in which all the English clubs are involved as well. In realistic terms that's what we want to have," he added. "We need to get our players playing closer to international rugby week in, week out so they don't have the disadvantage that Munster probably had in the last two years where there was a lay off; they didn't have games; they weren't together.

"It's unfortunate that the standard of rugby which has been played in the last six weeks in this dry weather has given a focus to club rugby and has given a standard to club rugby. It has also given a standard to players who are maybe not provincial players."

While the success or otherwise of the Celtic League has yet to be measured, Anderson's view of the rapidly changing landscape remains positive rather than bleak. "There is a necessity for club rugby and that is to bring players through to that standard or to have players coming back from injury or to ensure that young fellas who are going to play provincial rugby can do it against men in top environments in Cork, Limerick or Dublin. "We'd 10 or 12 guys who were involved with Ireland, Ulster and Dungannon at one stage and no matter how good a coach or manager you are you can't get guys to focus on your club."

Anderson and Cork Con coach Brian Hickey do not intend to announce their teams until tomorrow. Anderson is simply keeping his options open and hinted at the possibility of one change from the side that beat Galwegians in the semi-final.

He will not, however, name a team until the last moment while Hickey wants to give his captain, Ultan O'Callaghan, the maximum amount of time to get his finger right. O'Callaghan broke his knuckle just over four weeks ago playing against Blackrock. "I'll probably announce the team at 29 minutes past two," said Anderson prompting Hickey to swiftly reply "and I'll announce at 29 and a half minutes past two."

If O'Callaghan is fit Cork Con will reshuffle their back row for the 2.30 p.m. final.