The countdown to European Cup 2002 qualification begins for the four Irish provinces in two of the Celtic League games scheduled for this week. Tomorrow’s clash at Thomond Park between Munster and Connacht and next Friday’s meeting of Leinster and Ulster at Donnybrook present intriguing games within games as points towards the Guinness championship and qualification into next season’s European Cup will also be at stake.
While the Celtic League offers three points for a win and one for a draw with no bonus points; in the context of the Guinness championship there are four points for a win, two for a draw and one bonus point on offer for a team scoring four or more tries or for a team beaten by not more than seven points.
These are the only two Guinness interpro matches within the Pool section of Celtic League. Should Irish provinces subsequently meet in the knock out stages of the League a decision will then be made as to whether those games will also count in the Guinness interprovincial championship. The full Guinness interprovincial championship will begin on the weekend of December 28 – 29 and conclude on the weekend of May 17 – 18.
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
