Magners League : Stats : Competition Structure

For the first time this season the winners of the Magners League will be decided by a play-off.

The tournament will consist of an 18 weekend league stage, when all ten teams will play each other on a home and away basis, with the top four teams at the end of the season qualifying for a play-off semi-final and final.

The champions of the 2009/10 Magners League will be the winners of the final. The tournament will run from the first weekend in September with the final the last weekend in May 2010.

There will be no League matches on the RBS Six Nations weekends, with a previous break coinciding with the timing of the Autumn internationals.

Ian Dowling has recovered from the ankle injury he picked up in the game against Edinburgh to take his place in the Munster side for tomorrow's Magners League clash with the Scarlets at Musgrave Park (7.35).

Paul Turner thinks his resurgent Dragons can force themselves into a Play-Off position by tipping over Connacht tonight in their St Patrick's Day party.

The Scarlets travel to Munster tomorrow evening (Thurs) for their rescheduled Magners League fixture at Musgrave Park feeling confident they can take something from the game after a morale-boosting win against Ulster last time out.