Management changes for Magners League

The Magners League will have a new management structure for the 2010/2011 season with former Scotland and British & Irish Lions international Andy Irvine appointed independent chairman to help build the competition.

Irvine is currently Chairman of the British & Irish Lions Committee and a former President of the Scottish Rugby Union.

He will take over on 1 September, replacing John Hussey, of the Irish Rugby Union, who has acted as chairman for the past seven years.

Hussey said: ‘As the Magners League prepares to expand through the introduction of two Italian teams to join the 10 clubs from Ireland, Scotland and Wales, I am delighted the Celtic Rugby Board has recognised there is a growing need to support the tournament’s expansion.

‘Last season saw the highly successful introduction of a play-off system and Grand Final to determine our champions and the changes agreed by the Board are aimed at continuing to shape the ever growing reputation of the Tournament.

‘Having a man of the calibre of Andy Irvine to take over from me is a real statement of intent from the Celtic Rugby Board and all the changes we have agreed will help support the growth of the Magners League product and our 12 clubs.’

Meanwhile, John Feehan has been appointed Chief Executive following the re-structuring of the organisation.

This means the tournament will now be managed out of the same Dublin office in charge of both the RBS 6 Nations Championship and the British & Irish Lions.

These initiatives were all approved at a Celtic Rugby Board Meeting held in Cardiff on Monday.

Feehan, who is currently Chief Executive of both the 6 Nations and British & Irish Lions, will head up a team that will include 10 permanent members of staff, including the long-standing Tournament Director, David Jordan.

The new Magners League campaign kicks-off on Friday, 3 September.