Connacht Rugby is gearing up to put forward a team in the British and Irish Cup next season.
Connacht coach Eric Elwood says it is the way forward for the province, which until now has been relying on the All Ireland League for players to make the step up to professional rugby. However the province must fulfil a series of fixtures this year in order to satisfy the IRFU that it has the players able to join the other 24 teams from England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland .
"We recognise the importance of the British and Irish Cup and that we need to have our players playing week in and week out. We need to fill the void between the Rabo Direct and the All Ireland League and we see it through the competitiveness of the B and I," says Elwood.
Connacht has already expanded its academy this season with several youngsters brought into the senior squad for the pre-season challenges before last Friday's game against Munster. Connacht are now in talks with several Rabo Direct clubs which boast second teams, particularly in England.
"Having your team identity is very important, and we will certainly promote and push indigenous players forward," says Elwood. "That is why we have had full integration with our senior squad during the pre-season. We are trying to fast track them and see their capabilities."
Elwood says it has been encouraging that players from Dublin had also joined the academy with both Mick Kearney and David Moore lining out during Connacht's pre-season friendlies.
The province's Professional Games Board is supporting the initiative, and Connacht CEO Gerry Kelly says the importance of A fixtures is now accepted.
"We are in talks with fellow Rabo Direct League teams where they would have second teams, and we are looking at anything within a radius of Bristol so it is easy to fly in and out of. There are financial commitments, but the need to fulfil these fixtures outweighs the financial commitment and the Professional Games Board has recognized that and taken it on board.
"The likelihood is that providing we fulfill our fixtures this year we will be in the cup next season."
