While the All-Ireland League is now considered the third tier in Irish rugby after international and provincial levels, sponsors AIB and the IRFU said yesterday that the competition has lost none of its relevance.
At a reception at Lansdowne Football Club, AIB announced that it will extend its sponsorship of the league for a further three seasons. The new understanding will see the bank invest £2 million, both directly and indirectly over the period.
In addition, all three divisions will play semi-finals and a final for the first time, with the three finals to be staged on the same day at Lansdowne Road. The hope is to provide a grand finale to the club season.
The £2 million comes as part of the AIB's sponsorship strategy, which in recent years has seen the bank commit major funding to club and grassroots sport in both rugby and GAA.
John Hickey, AIB's general manager (retail banking), provided a sprinkling of statistics to support the bank's reasoning for such a large investment.
"Nine out of 10 (people surveyed) recognised AIB as being involved in club rugby while 61 per cent were aware and felt good about the bank's involvement in rugby," he said.
The 12th annual staging of the All-Ireland League begins this weekend with four Division One games on Saturday and two on Sunday. Both Sunday matches involve the two promoted clubs from last season. Carlow, who have moved from junior status to the first division in successive years, meet Young Munster at Oak Park while UCD face Shannon at Belfield.
Clubs requested that the IRFU begin the league earlier this season even though this weekend's fixtures clash with the first-round European Cup games involving Leinster, Munster and Ulster as well as Connacht's European Shield campaign.
Between that competition, the Celtic League, the interprovincial series and international rugby, Willie Anderson, who coached Dungannon to their first AIL title last season, expects to see little of his contracted players throughout the campaign.
"We've something like 10 or 11 contracted players with Ulster. It's quite likely we won't see them this season," he said. "Maybe a few games, that's all. That's the way the thing is going to progress.
"If we get contracted players to play, it's a bonus for us. But I think it is a competitive and skilful league. It's the third relevant level (of rugby) in Ireland but I think it gives opportunities for young fellas, and if contracted players need games to get back form or come back from injury, that's where the club rugby is still very relevant."
As with last season the incentive bonus points scheme will again be in operation, with four for a win and two for a draw. A further bonus point will be awarded to a team scoring four or more tries or to a team not beaten by more than seven points.
The IRFU also expect to pay out almost £500,000 for travel and accommodation grants to clubs, while the winning Division One team will pick up a cheque for £15,000. Division Two winners collect £6,000 and Division Three £4,000.
Sale back row forward Peter Anglesea was yesterday banned for 12 months after being found guilty of eye-gouging by a three-man English RFU disciplinary panel. Anglesea was cited by Newcastle following a first-minute incident during a Premiership match two weeks ago. The ban takes immediate effect.
