Today the IRFU confirmed that a new senior men's rugby competition will take place next month. The new format, dubbed the 'A’ Interprovincial Men’s Championship,' will feature Leinster, Munster, Ulster, and Connacht's B teams competing in a series of games for a 'legacy trophy' to mark the IRFU’s 150th anniversary celebrations.
Each second-string side will play six games this season, with the final scheduled for May. The points system will follow the United Rugby Championship format. The IRFU has also indicated an interest in having local clubs host these games.
IRFU Performance Director David Humphreys commented on the new competition, noting that discussions around the 'A’ Interprovincial Men’s Championship' have been ongoing for some time.
We're delighted to announce the return of the Men's Interprovincial 'A' Championship which will kick off next month! ⬇️#IrishRugby
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) October 31, 2024
“We’re delighted to kick-start the Men’s ‘A’ Interprovincial Championship, which will provide a host of players with a further means of developing in a meaningful competition. With the success of the Emerging Ireland tours and the return of an ‘A’ international against England next year, it is vital that we continue to provide players at provincial and club levels with opportunities to impress outside of the traditional URC and EPCR fixture windows," said the IRFU man on the organisation's website
“Discussions have been ongoing for some time to provide players with meaningful games, and all four provinces are unanimously supportive of this competition. It is also great to see provinces taking matches to their local clubs.
“As the competition progresses over the coming seasons, we anticipate that these fixtures will not clash with Energia All-Ireland League fixtures, thus potentially offering players from the club game an opportunity to impress.”
To start proceedings, Leinster 'A' will face Connacht Eagles on 16 November at Creggs RFC. The following weekend, Ulster 'A' will host Connacht at a local ground, while Leinster 'A' will take on Munster 'A'. Several matches will follow until the final in May.
Interprovincial ‘A’ Championship:
Saturday 16 November:
Connacht Eagles v Leinster ‘A’ (Creggs RFC, 1pm)
Friday 22 November:
Ulster ‘A’ v Connacht Eagles (Ballymacaran Park, 3pm)
Leinster ‘A’ v Munster ‘A’ (Lakelands, 5pm)
Friday 29 November:
Munster ‘A’ v Ulster ‘A’ (New Ormond Park, 3pm)
Friday 20 December:
Ulster ‘A’ v Munster ‘A’ (tbc, 3pm)
Saturday 21 December:
Leinster ‘A’ v Connacht Eagles (Ollie Campbell Park, 2pm)
28/29 December:
Connacht Eagles v Ulster ‘A’ (tbc)
Munster ‘A’ v Leinster ‘A’ (tbc)
9/10 May:
Connacht Eagles v Munster ‘A’ (tbc)
Leinster ‘A’ v Ulster ‘A’ (tbc)
16/17 May:
Munster ‘A’ v Connacht Eagles (tbc)
Ulster ‘A’ v Leinster ‘A’ (tbc)
