Writing in the Irish Times, Gerry Thornley examines how the introduction of top-four play-offs might change the way the Magners League’s finest approach this year’s competition.
"The English Premiership put its best foot forward this weekend despite the sordid and lingering whiff of Bloodgate and the Bath drug scandal, not to mention a flight of Wild Geese-like proportions to France.
"There, they have already played four rounds of an over-crowded season in the Top 14, which at times resembles a circus, with 217 non-French registered players and where Racing Metro pay Sebastien Chabal €1 million per year. The rugby’s actually been a pretty lousy whistle feast too.
"To comparatively little fanfare, and over-shadowed a tad on the weekend that’s in it, the Magners League kicks off, the same league that provided the bulk of the Lions squad (and no less than 10 of any of the three starting Test sides), three of the last four Grand Slam winners, three of the last four Heineken Cup winners and the last five Triple Crown winners (yes, five!).
"This season, its ninth, the league is liable to be tougher to win than ever, or easier – depending on your viewpoint. For the first time, and not before time, there will be top four play-offs to decide the champions."
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