Celtic Rugby is currently celebrating its 10th season of competitive rugby since bringing together the top professional teams from Ireland, Scotland and Wales. This season has seen the welcome addition of two new super-franchises from Italy.
The 7,461 crowd saw Ulster win 29-21 to maintain their winning run and the landmark 5 millionth customer for the Magners League enjoyed another trademark close encounter.
“It is fantastic to think we have now broken through the 5 million mark in terms of fans through the gate and the signs are that our gates are rising across the board this season. The Scarlets have opened with two 6,000+ crowds and Glasgow have continued their upward trend after showing a 26% increase on their gates last season,” said the new Celtic Rugby chairman Andy Irvine.
“We have come a long way since the first Celtic League game was played at the Brewery Field, Bridgend, between Bridgend and Pontypridd on 17 August, 2001. Ulster also played on that night, beating Swansea 30-13 at Ravenhill in front of a 6,000 crowd.
“There have been many changes to the format of our competitions since then, but the introduction last season of the Play-Offs and Grand Final to determine the Magners League champions was hugely significant and successful.
“With the introduction of the two Italian teams we now boast more than 280 international players playing within our 12 teams and the quality of the competition is now a match for any league in the world.
“Having just reached the 5 million landmark with our fans, everyone is now looking forward to a record breaking gate at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday, 2 October, when Leinster host Munster in what is likely to be the biggest club game in Europe that weekend.
“With more than 40,000 tickets already sold for that fixture, a full-house of 50,000 is being anticipated. It is onwards and upwards for the Magners League.”

The 10th season of the tournament will see the Magners League expanded to four nations as Italy joins Ireland, Scotland and Wales in a high profile 12-team cross-border competition designed to considerably enhance both playing standards and commercial viability for the competing countries.

The three Celtic Unions have unanimously agreed to the introduction of two new Italian super sides and the four-year agreement will see Benetton Treviso and Aironi Rugby competing against defending champions Munster and the other nine Celtic teams on a home and away basis.

Benetton Treviso will have their headquarters at Stadio Comunale di Monigo while Aironi, who will be based at Stadio Luigi Zaffanella, will involve various clubs from the Lombardia and Emilia-Romagna regions.

The move to welcome Italian sides comes at the end of a year-long review of the viability of expanding the tournament, the detailed analysis and due diligence undertaken by the sports consultancy arm of Deloittes and focusing on the basis of long term financial capacity to support the teams and commit to the league.

David Jordan, Director of Celtic Rugby, said: “This is another massive step forward for the Magners League and follows the decision to go to a top four Play-Off system to determine our champion team.

“As well as providing more fixtures for the teams already involved this will also bring both a major cash injection into the competition and greater exposure across Europe.

“The implementation of the Plays-Offs and the Magners League Grand Final this season has already seen a marked improvement in the competitiveness of the League and the arrival of two Italian teams will provide another boost to the competition.

“Operationally it will present new challenges, as well as opportunities, but by introducing Italy into the Celtic fold it will also dramatically broaden the appeal of our product.

“It is anticipated that the Italian super clubs will be largely made up of Italian internationals of full, A and under 20 levels, with a sprinkling of top class overseas players set to provide further extra strength and spice to the tournament.”

Giancarlo Dondi, President of Federazione Italiana Rugby (FIR), said: “I am very pleased that, after months of intense negotiations, an agreement that will see two Italian teams join the Magners League at the start of next season has been reached.

“I would like to thank the Board of Celtic Rugby, in particular President John Hussey and Director David Jordan, for the support given in recent months.

“At the same time, I would like to thank Amerino Zatta, the President of Benetton Treviso, and Silvano Melegari, President of Aironi Rugby, who supported me throughout the negotiation period.

“I am sure that the Magners League will bring benefits to all Italian rugby and will have a positive impact on the competitiveness of our national team.”