2019–20 Celtic Cup

The 2019–20 Celtic Cup was the second edition of the Celtic Cup rugby union competition, which features development regional and provincial teams from Ireland and Wales. It ran from August 2019 until October 2019, with a change to a single table format from the original conference system.

2019–20 Celtic Cup
CountriesIreland Ireland
Wales Wales
Date23 August – 13 October 2019
ChampionsLeinster A (2nd title)
Runners-upUlster A
Matches played29

Leinster A, winners of the inaugural edition, defended their title by beating first time finalists Ulster A in an all-Ireland final 31–10.[1]

Formation and purpose

The Irish Rugby Football Union and the Welsh Rugby Union created a new development competition, the Celtic Cup, for the emerging professional players from the four Irish provinces and four Welsh regions, announcing the tournament in August 2018.

The tournament, which features development squads from Pro14 teams Connacht, Leinster, Munster, Ulster, Cardiff Blues, Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlets, aims to provide a learning environment for development players, coaches and referees by recreating the week-to-week challenges presented by senior professional rugby.[2]

2019–20 season

In a change from the 2018–19 tournament, the 2019–20 edition of the competition featured all eight teams in a single round-robin league format, rather than two conferences. Each team playing seven matches and the top two teams advanced to the final.[3]

Table
Team P W D L PF PA PD TF TA TB LB Pts
1Ireland Leinster A (CH)770035114021155227035
2Ireland Ulster A (RU)75021981702828235025
3Ireland Connacht Eagles75021911692224243023
4Wales Scarlets A74032171942329284222
5Wales Dragons A7205205236-3130345215
6Ireland Munster A7214165206-4122313013
7Wales Ospreys Development7115133229-961932208
8Wales Cardiff Blues A7106109225-1161730217
If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order -
  1. number of matches won
  2. the difference between points for and points against
  3. the number of tries scored
  4. the most points scored
  5. the difference between tries for and tries against
  6. the fewest red cards received
  7. the fewest yellow cards received
Green background indicates teams that advance to the final
(Q) Qualified for the final (CH) Champions (RU) Runners-up
Updated: 5 October 2019
Source: Munster Rugby

Pool Stage

Round 1
24 August 2019
14:30
(1 BP) Cardiff Blues A Wales28–47Ireland Leinster A (1 BP)
Report
Cardiff Arms Park
Referee: Mike English (WRU)
23 August 2019
19:30
Munster A Ireland20–20Wales Ospreys Development
Report
Irish Independent Park
Attendance: 200
Referee: Chris Busby (IRFU)
24 August 2019
14:30
(2 BP) Scarlets A Wales32–35Ireland Ulster A (1 BP)
Report
Church Bank Playing Fields
23 August 2019
14:00
Connacht Eagles Ireland24–19Wales Dragons A (1 BP)
Report
Galway Sportsground

Round 2
31 August 2019
17:30
(1 BP) Leinster A Ireland50–12Wales Scarlets A
Report
Energia Park
30 August 2019
19:00
(1 BP) Dragons A Wales36–10Ireland Munster A
Report
Rodney Parade
31 August 2019
19:30
(1 BP) Ulster A Ireland32–5Wales Cardiff A
Report
Gibson Park
31 August 2019
12:00
Ospreys Development Wales19–40Ireland Connacht Eagles (1 BP)
Report
Brewery Field

Round 3
6 September 2019
19:30
Munster A Ireland21–47Ireland Leinster A (1 BP)
Report
Irish Independent Park
Attendance: 200
Referee: Jonny Erskine (IRFU)
6 September 2019
16:00
(1 BP) Ulster A Ireland33–13Ireland Connacht Eagles
Report
Eaton Park
Referee: Stuart Gaffikin (IRFU)
7 September 2019
14:30
(1 BP) Scarlets A Wales55–14Wales Ospreys Development
Report
Parc y Scarlets
7 September 2019
15:30
(1 BP) Cardiff Blues A Wales40–31Wales Dragons A (1 BP)
Report
Cardiff Arms Park

Round 4
14 September 2019
13:00
(1 BP) Connacht Eagles Ireland38–27Ireland Munster A
Report
Galway Sportsground
Referee: Chris Busby (IRFU)
14 September 2019
15:00
(1 BP) Leinster A Ireland55–24Ireland Ulster A (1 BP)
Report
Energia Park
Referee: Robert O'Sullivan (IRFU)
13 September 2019
19:15
Ospreys Development Wales29–5Wales Cardiff Blues A
Report
Brewery Field
14 September 2019
(2 BP) Dragons A Wales35–40Wales Scarlets A (1 BP)
Report
Rodney Parade

Round 5
20 September 2019
19:15
(1 BP) Ospreys Development Wales24–54Ireland Leinster A (1 BP)
Report
St. Helen's
Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)
20 September 2019
18:00
(1 BP) Munster A Ireland28–7Wales Cardiff Blues A
Report
Irish Independent Park
21 September 2019
15:00
(1 BP) Dragons A Wales31–43Ireland Ulster A (1 BP)
Report
CCB Centre
20 September 2019
19:00
Connacht Eagles Ireland20–16Wales Scarlets A (1 BP)
Report
Corinthian Park

Round 6
28 September 2019
15:00
(1 BP) Leinster A Ireland55–17Wales Dragons A
Report
Energia Park
28 September 2019
13:00
(1 BP) Scarlets A Wales46–28Ireland Munster A (1 BP)
Report
Carmarthen Park
Referee: Elgan Williams (WRU)
27 September 2019
17:00
Ulster A Ireland19–3Wales Ospreys Development
Report
Gibson Park
28 September 2019
14:30
Cardiff Blues A Wales12–42Ireland Connacht Eagles (1 BP)
Report
Cardiff Arms Park

Round 7
4 October 2019
13:00
Connacht Eagles Ireland14–43Ireland Leinster A (1 BP)
Report
Galway Sportsground
4 October 2019
17:00
Ulster A Ireland12–31Ireland Munster A (1 BP)
Report
Shaw's Bridge
Referee: Peter Martin (IRFU)
4 October 2019
19:15
(1 BP) Cardiff Blues A Wales12–16Wales Scarlets A
Report
Cardiff Arms Park
Referee: Mike English (WRU)
5 October 2019
15:00
(1 BP) Dragons A Wales36–24Wales Ospreys Development (1 BP)
Report
CCB Centre

Final
13 October 2019
15:00
Leinster A Ireland31–10Ireland Ulster A
Report
Energia Park
Referee: Robert O'Sullivan (IRFU)

References
  1. "Match Report: Leinster 'A' 31 Ulster 'A' 10". Leinster Rugby. 13 October 2019. Retrieved 14 October 2019.
  2. "Celtic Cup Announced".
  3. "Celtic Cup A Proving Ground For Emerging Talent". Irish Rugby Football Union. 22 July 2019. Retrieved 24 August 2019.
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