Italian teams set for Magners debut

NEWS ROUND-UP:CELTIC RUGBY has confirmed from next season the Magners League will include two teams from Italy thereby expanding the tournament to four nations and 12 teams in what will be its 10th season. The IRFU, the Scottish Rugby Union and Wales Rugby Union have unanimously agreed to the introduction of two Italian super sides and the four-year agreement will see Benetton Treviso and Aironi Rugby competing against ten Celtic teams on a home and away basis.

Benetton Treviso, who play in the Heineken Cup, will be based at Stadio Comunale di Monigo while Aironi, who will be based at Stadio Luigi Zaffanella, will involve clubs from the Lombardia and Emilia-Romagna regions. These will include MPS Rugby Viadana, Banca Monte Rugby Parma, Plusvalore Gran Parma, BluGeo Colorno, Vibu Noceto, Reggio Emilia, Modena and Mantova.

It brings to an end a period of uncertainty where it seemed the Italians teams might be excluded because they were unwilling to stump up a €3 million stipend to compensate the other unions for the additional costing involved in playing four extra matches and also the expectation the Italians would have to come armed with significant financial clout from a television deal.

IRFU chief executive Philip Browne admitted: “The inclusion of the two Italian sides for next season can only strengthen the competition into the future . . . Ultimately what is good for the Magners League will be good for European rugby and also for the international game by bringing Italian rugby into the competition.”

It’s a decision that will please Italy coach Nick Mallett who will now feel his team has a league structure that will help the development of players for the national side. Giancarlo Dondi, president of Federazione Italiana Rugby (FIR), said: “I am sure that the Magners League will bring benefits to all Italian rugby and will have a positive impact on the competitiveness of our national team.”

The teams in next season’s league will be Leinster, Munster, Connacht, Ulster, Benetton Rugby Treviso, Aironi Rugby, Edinburgh, Glasgow Warriors, Cardiff Blues, Newport Gwent Dragons, the Ospreys and Scarlets.