IRFU confirm return of 'A' interprovincial championshippublished at 10:35 31 October
Image source, InphoUlster 'A' will host the Connacht Eagles in their first game of the 'A' interprovincial championship in November
The Irish Rugby Football Union [IRFU] has confirmed that a provincial 'A' championship will return next month.
The competition will see second string sides from each of the four provinces meet each other home and away between November and May in an effort to give those not featuring regularly in the United Rugby Championship game-time through the season.
"We’re delighted to kickstart the men’s ‘A’ Interprovincial championship which will provide a host of players with a further means of developing in a meaningful competition," said the IRFU's performance director David Humphreys.
"With the success of the Emerging Ireland tours, coupled with 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.
"Discussions have been ongoing for some time to provide players with meaningful games and all four provinces are unanimously supportive of this competition."
Ulster will start their campaign by welcoming Connacht to Ballymacarn Park, the home of Ballynahinch RFC, on 22 November with Humphreys adding it is hoped the competition will benefit All-Ireland League clubs.
"It is also great to see provinces taking matches around their local clubs," he said.
"It is anticipated that as the competition progresses over the coming seasons these fixtures won’t clash with Energia All-Ireland League fixtures for the most part, thus potentially also offering players from the club game with an opportunity to impress.
"This competition will form another important part of the representative pathway from Energia AIL to URC levels for Academy players upwards over the coming seasons."
