Pro14 format given thumbs up by Irish

The conferences were devised with rankings from last season’s league table, placing Munster, the losing Pro12 finalists, in Conference A with Connacht, while Leinster and Ulster are in Conference B.

“There’s some very exciting trips ahead, to South Africa, and the players will be able to test themselves in a different environment, it’s great for the game,” Leo Cullen, the Leinster head coach, said.

“I’m sure there’ll be a few teething problems that will have to be ironed out in terms of logistics, but it’s exciting.

“It’ll take a bit of getting used to, but it’s a similar format in many ways. The main difference is you play five of the teams only home or away.”

Organisers hope the new format will make for more competitive games later into the season, with the old ‘top four’ play-offs replaced by a ‘top six’ setup that sees the top team in each conference earn a home semi-final while the second and third teams play-off for the other two semi-final places.

The top three clubs from each conference will also qualify automatically for next season’s European Champions Cup, along with the best other team outside of those top six teams across both conferences. The remaining five former Pro12 teams will qualify for the European Challenge Cup, with South African clubs not eligible to compete in either European tournament.

Teams will play one game fewer per season (21) than last season, while the amount of times each team play one another has also altered.

Leinster, for example, will play Conference B opponents Scarlets, Ulster, Edinburgh, Benetton Treviso, Dragons and Kings home and away, but they will only face Conference A sides Ospreys, Glasgow, Zebre, Cheetahs and Cardiff once – either home or away.

The conferences were devised with rankings from last season’s table

JAMES CROMBIE/INPHO

The interprovincial derbies so beloved by fans – and sponsors – will be maintained, while the Scottish, Italian and South African sides will play one another three times during the season.

The fixture list will come out next week once broadcasters and clubs have been consulted.

“It’ll be exciting for the fans to go to South Africa and to see two new teams coming to the Sportsground will be brilliant,” John Muldoon, the Connacht captain, said.

“South Africa fits in well with Ireland, the time zones aren’t too different. It also brings in a new audience and it brings in a wider net to Connacht and Irish Rugby so it’s only a positive.

“It’ll be nice to go down to South Africa and some nice weather when it’s pissing rain in Galway.”

While the idea of packing down in a balmy Bloemfontein is nice, getting there isn’t so simple, and one of the biggest question marks over the expansion has been how to incorporate travel to and from South Africa.

Pro14 organisers insist they have put player welfare at the top of their priority list, and plans around the 12+ hour one-way trips illustrate that.

All games played in Port Elizabeth and Bloemfontein will be played on a Saturday, giving visiting teams a seven day turnaround from their usual Friday night fixtures, with five days ‘clean from travel’.

All long haul flights from Europe will be overnight to allow players sleep, while organisers will endeavour to allow teams who have to play two games in South Africa to do so on a ‘mini tour’.

Simon Keogh, acting CEO of Rugby Players Ireland, says player welfare has been a key part in expansion discussions. “Rugby Players Ireland has been working closely with IRFU in relation to the expansion of the Pro12,” he said. “All player welfare issues, particularly those in relation to travel and temperature, have been taken into consideration and, while further details will be finalised over the coming weeks, the newly-formatted competition will not compromise player welfare.”

Martin Anayi, CEO of the Guinness Pro14, says ensuring player welfare is not compromised was their priority. “We have been in a dialogue with performance directors across all participating unions to ensure this,” he said. “We will work closely with travel partners to ensure that players are provided the best possible times and conditions when flying to and from South Africa to make sure their preparation is unaffected.”

Meanwhile, Shane Logan, the Ulster Rugby CEO, says the province are close to signing a replacement out half, with Paddy Jackson unavailable for the forseeable future.

“It’s a difficult time to recruit players, but we’re optimistic of making a positive announcement, sooner rather than later,” Logan said.