“By and large we would be for it provided it doesn’t extend the season unreasonably for the top players. The present number of matches they are playing appears to be about right and if the Celtic League were to mean them having three more, then that shouldn’t impinge on them unduly”.

It appears the Irish, Scottish and Welsh Unions are satisfied a structure can be put in place for what will initially be a three year rota of matches involving four Irish, two Scottish and nine Welsh sides. There remains a degree of confusion as to whether there will be two sections, one of eight teams and the other of seven, or whether it will be run off strictly on a league basis of fourteen matches. Until such matters are cleared up and the sequence outlined, Jerry Holland is not in a position to say a whole lot.

“It’s a hard one to call at present but a major plus from our perspective is that the new competition would provide an opportunity for the players not currently on the starting XV to get matches at a higher level,” said Holland.

“We have guys on the Irish A team not playing for Munster. The Celtic League would change that and enable them to stake a claim for their place.”

Leinster manager, Ken Ging expressed his approval for the decision to go ahead with the Celtic League.

“Yes, we’re pleased because we believe the contracted players need a full season together,” he said.

“All the time, we’re trying to compete with teams who are together from the start to the end of the year. In contrast, this season we had a nine week break between matches as did the other provinces and that’s why we had the friendly with Munster and we’re all obviously under a considerable disadvantage”.

Like Jerry Holland, Ken Ging hasn’t been officially informed just what the format the Celtic League will take.

However, he accepts that the Irish provincial teams will now meet only once each season and he regards that as a pity.

“I thought the home and away arrangement was great but you can’t have everything,” he said.

“It looks as if we will play 14 Celtic League matches and six more in the European Cup and there will be six or seven internationals for several players as well. Now you’re already well into the 20s and that’s as many as any guy should be asked to play.

“Obviously, that means they may not turn out for their clubs at all and while that’s to be regretted, let’s be honest, some of them hardly ever do so now anyway and I think the clubs by and large accept the situation.

“It’s a very physical game nowadays and it takes a lot of mental and physical ability to take it all. These guys need rest and by that I mean full rest, not going off for 18 holes of golf or that kind of thing, I just don’t think they’d be fit enough to go back to the clubs as well,” said Ging.

“We will be in trouble unless we have a very strong squad and good cover in every position. We will be playing seven or eight matches more than this year with 14 in succession at the start instead of ten this season and that imposes its own problems.

“It’s not a 15 man game any more, it’s a squad of 30 that you work with and rely. Whereas you are restricted in the European Cup, I’m sure we will be able to go outside the squad for the Celtic League and that in turn will give other players a chance of representative football and the management an opportunity to see what they’re capable of,” said Ging.

* Munster coach Declan Kidney was yesterday voted Manager of the Month for January in recognition of his contribution to Munster’s outstanding run of success in the Heineken European Cup.