2002-03
The League is expanded to 16 teams with the introduction of a third Scottish side – the Borders, but the teams still only meet once during the season.
The tournament begins on 30 August 2002 with a newly introduced bonus point scheme awarding a try bonus point for four tries or more and a losing bonus point for sides defeated by seven points or less. There are four points available for a win and two for a draw.
The quarter-finals, between the top four finishers in each pool, follow in late November. The semis are in early January.
The second final takes place at Millennium Stadium on 1 February 2003 and sees Munster defeat Neath 37-17 in front of over 30,000 spectators.

2003-04
Wales introduce regional rugby, with their five new regions taking up their places in a 12 team league, playing each other home and away for the first time in a 22 week League lasting the entire season which begins on 5 September 2003.
A 12 team Celtic Cup competition is also intoduced with Ulster taking the spoils, beating Edinburgh 27-21 in the final at Murrayfield on 20 December.
The League title is won by Llanelli Scarlets on 14 May 2004 with a 23-16 victory over Ulster at Stradey Park taking the Welshmen four points clear at the top, the first time the champions are decided this way.

2004-05
The League loses a team with the demise of Welsh Region the Celtic Warriors. To correct the imbalance the remaining eleven teams will each have two weeks off during the league season beginning on 3 September 2004.
The Ospreys win the league title on 26 March 2005 when they beat Edinburgh 29-12 at the Gnoll with a match to spare.
The top eight sides in the league table at the end of the campaign qualify to play in the quarter-finals of the now end of season Celtic Cup, which is eventually won by Munster with a 27-16 victory over Llanelli Scarlets at Lansdowne Road on 14 May 2005.

2005-06
Because of the unevenness of an 11 team league, Celtic Rugby introduce a scoring system whereby free weekends are acknowledged with a four point “win”. The league season begins on 2 September 2005.
The league attendance record is smashed on five occasions throughout the season.
Ulster win the league title with a 19-17 victory against the Ospreys at Liberty Stadium on 26 May 2006 in the final weekend of the season, pipping Llanelli Scarlets by a single point.

2006-07
On 19 July 2006 Magners Irish Cider are unveiled as the first ever tournament sponsors. The new Magners League begins on 1 September, the table decided without the additional points for the free weekend.
The league attendance record is raised twice more, culminating in a 48,000 sell-out for the “Last Stand” final game at the old Lansdowne Road on New Year’s Eve 2006 where Leinster beat Ulster 20-12.
The Ospreys take their second league title and the inaugural Magners one on 12 May 2007 on the final day of the season courtesy of a 24-16 win over Border Reivers at Netherdale after both Leinster and Cardiff Blues had come up just short with their challenge.

2007-08
The Magners League is now down to 10 teams with Scotland entering only two teams – Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh Rugby. This reduction allows for a  later start to the competition, - 22 September 2007 - to accommodate the Rugby World Cup.

Celtic League Winners

2001/2 Leinster

2002/3 Munster

2003/4 Llanelli Scarlets

2004/5 Neath Swansea Ospreys

2005/6 Ulster

Magners League Winners

2006/7 The Ospreys