IRFU Interprovincial Championship explained

The IRFU Interprovincial Championship was a rugby union competition between the four provinces of Ireland – Ulster, Leinster, Munster and Connacht – run by the Irish Rugby Football Union. It was run as a distinct competition from 1946–47 to 2000–01,^[1] with the 2001–02 fixtures being fulfilled by the match-ups in the newly formed Celtic League.^[2] For a time in the 1980s, the IRFU ruled that Irish diaspora players should play for Connacht, in an attempt to strengthen the weakest of the four provinces.^[3] The Irish Exiles took part for four years (1992–93 – 1995–96).

In 2021, the United Rugby Championship introduced regional shields with the Irish provinces competing for the Irish Shield. Initially the pool included results against other non-Irish sides but from 2023 onwards, the URC announced that the regional pool shields of the competition would be decided only by results between the teams within each pool. With this change, the URC effectively reintroduced the Interprovincial Championship in its original format for the first time since 2002.

Championship wins

Team	Wins	Years
Ulster		1947, 1951, 1952, 1954, 1956, 1957, 1967, 1968, 1970, 1971, 1973, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994
Leinster		1949, 1950, 1955, 1957, 1959, 1961, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1972, 1973, 1976, 1978, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1994, 1996, 1998, 2002^[4]
Munster		1948, 1953, 1955, 1958, 1960, 1963, 1966, 1967, 1969, 1973, 1974, 1976, 1978, 1979, 1983, 1988, 1994*, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001
Connacht		1955, 1956, 1964*
* Denotes that the title was shared. Points difference as tiebreaker was never used in the tournament.

There was not a full set of matches to complete the competition in 2001–02. The rules for deciding placing used for the Celtic League/Magners League/Pro12 for that season were used to decide the placings in the interpro table.

Won-lost record

D	F
181	111	14	56	2,687	1,963
181	106	12	63	2,691	2,038
181	100	15	66	2,533	1,928
181	23	9	149	1,585	3,350
16	5	0	11	282	367

League placings

3rd	5th
20	20	15	1	0
20	20	12	4	0
16	11	23	6	0
0	4	6	42	4
0	1	0	3	0

Results

1946

D	F	Pts
3	3	0	0	48	14	6
3	1	1	1	28	32	3
3	1	0	2	27	31	2
3	0	1	2	18	44	1

1947

D	F	Pts
3	2	1	0	44	20	5
3	1	2	0	25	6	4
3	1	1	1	26	14	3
3	0	0	3	3	58	0

1948-49

D	F
3	3	0	17	0	6
3	2	1	43	20	4
3	1	2	26	25	2
3	0	3	12	53	0

1949

D	F	Pts
3	2	1	0	42	16	5
3	2	0	1	23	11	4
3	1	1	1	9	19	3
3	0	0	3	11	49	0

1950

D	F
3	3	0	42	9	6
3	1	2	21	22	2
3	1	2	17	26	2
3	1	2	21	44	2

1951

D	F
3	3	0	46	17	6
3	2	1	65	29	4
3	1	2	40	31	2
3	0	3	6	80	0

1952

D	F	Pts
3	2	1	0	11	0	5
3	2	1	0	45	14	5
3	1	0	2	11	28	2
3	0	0	3	11	36	0

1953

D	F	Pts
3	2	0	1	20	14	4
3	1	1	1	34	17	3
3	1	1	1	11	9	3
3	1	0	2	20	45	2

1954

D	F
3	2	1	19	15	4
3	2	1	17	14	4
3	1	2	20	20	2
3	1	2	12	19	2

1955

D	F
3	2	1	36	21	4
3	2	1	23	23	4
3	1	2	20	21	2
3	1	2	24	38	2

1956

D	F
3	2	1	46	29	4
3	2	1	25	17	4
3	2	1	19	25	4
3	0	3	15	34	0

1957

D	F
3	3	0	33	18	6
3	2	1	53	36	4
3	1	2	34	46	2
3	0	3	15	35	0

1958

D	F
3	3	0	57	15	6
3	1	2	17	23	2
3	1	2	25	36	2
3	1	2	15	40	2

1959

D	F	Pts
3	3	0	0	42	14	6
3	1	1	1	33	27	3
3	1	0	2	15	37	2
3	0	1	2	6	18	1

1960

D	F	Pts
3	1	2	0	23	18	4
3	1	1	1	25	18	3
3	1	1	1	6	8	3
3	1	0	2	17	27	2

1961

D	F
3	3	0	27	15	6
3	2	1	40	11	4
3	1	2	17	35	2
3	0	3	12	35	0

1962

D	F
3	3	0	31	6	6
3	2	1	30	25	4
3	1	2	32	42	2
3	0	3	23	43	0

1963

D	F	Pts
3	3	0	0	33	20	6
3	1	1	1	18	18	3
3	1	0	2	27	26	2
3	0	1	2	11	25	1

1964

D	F	Pts
3	1	2	0	28	17	4
3	1	2	0	24	14	4
3	1	1	1	17	27	3
3	0	1	2	19	30	1

1965

D	F	Pts
3	3	0	0	28	12	6
3	2	0	1	24	18	4
3	0	1	2	15	24	1
3	0	1	2	12	25	1

1966

D	F	Pts
3	2	1	0	24	14	5
3	2	1	0	20	17	5
3	1	0	2	37	20	2
3	0	0	3	17	47	0

1967

D	F
3	3	0	36	23	6
3	2	1	37	25	4
3	1	2	22	30	2
3	0	3	32	49	0

1968

D	F
3	3	0	41	20	6
3	2	1	34	34	4
3	1	2	31	32	2
3	0	3	18	38	0

1969

D	F	Pts
3	2	1	0	31	6	5
3	2	0	1	41	20	4
3	1	1	1	31	15	3
3	0	0	3	6	68	0

1970

D	F
3	3	0	56	6	6
3	2	1	24	9	4
3	1	2	12	18	2
3	0	3	3	62	0

1971

D	F
3	3	0	33	16	6
3	2	1	36	18	4
3	1	2	16	22	2
3	0	3	6	35	0

1972

D	F
3	2	1	47	20	4
3	2	1	32	16	4
3	2	1	33	23	4
3	0	3	9	62	0

1973

D	F	Pts
3	2	1	0	48	16	5
3	2	0	1	43	39	4
3	1	1	1	36	40	3
3	0	0	3	34	66	0

1974

D	F	Pts
3	2	1	0	57	21	5
3	2	0	1	30	31	4
3	0	2	1	18	21	2
3	0	1	2	15	47	1

1975

D	F
3	2	1	32	15	4
3	2	1	23	18	4
3	2	1	24	26	4
3	0	3	9	29	0

1976

D	F
3	3	0	76	48	6
3	2	1	54	45	4
3	1	2	43	45	2
3	0	3	16	47	0

1977

D	F
3	2	1	69	42	4
3	2	1	45	38	4
3	2	1	31	25	4
3	0	3	18	58	0

1978

D	F
3	3	0	42	12	6
3	2	1	25	21	4
3	1	2	20	24	2
3	0	3	13	43	0

1979

D	F	Pts
3	3	0	0	47	25	6
3	1	1	1	36	47	3
3	1	0	2	34	35	2
3	0	1	2	29	39	1

1980

D	F
3	3	0	75	27	6
3	2	1	46	28	4
3	1	2	32	72	2
3	0	3	21	47	0

1981

D	F	Pts
3	2	1	0	54	31	5
3	2	0	1	30	38	4
3	1	1	1	52	51	3
3	0	0	3	31	47	0

1982

D	F
3	2	1	34	25	4
3	2	1	50	46	4
3	2	1	28	32	4
3	0	3	35	44	0

1983

D	F
3	3	0	71	35	6
3	1	2	54	32	2
3	1	2	33	41	2
3	1	2	22	62	2

1984

D	F
3	3	0	58	15	6
3	2	1	32	28	4
3	1	2	30	38	2
3	0	3	18	57	0

1985

D	F
3	3	0	54	22	6
3	1	2	34	34	2
3	1	2	24	34	2
3	1	2	25	47	2

1986

D	F
3	3	0	68	24	6
3	2	1	68	23	4
3	1	2	23	87	2
3	0	3	18	43	0

1987

D	F	Pts
3	2	1	0	52	22	5
3	2	1	0	37	25	5
3	1	0	2	32	51	2
3	0	0	3	34	57	0

1988

D	F
3	3	0	46	29	6
3	1	2	50	41	2
3	1	2	46	45	2
3	1	2	24	51	2

1989

D	F
3	3	0	65	19	6
3	2	1	34	26	4
3	2	1	25	36	2
3	0	3	25	68	0

1990

D	F
3	3	0	48	30	6
3	2	1	61	49	4
3	2	1	38	58	2
3	0	3	45	55	0

1991

D	F	Pts
3	2	1	0	69	53	5
3	2	0	1	57	49	4
3	1	0	2	48	51	2
3	0	0	3	28	49	0

1992

This season, the IRFU Interprovincial Championship was sponsored by Cara Computers, and for the first time included the Irish Exiles.^[5]

D	F
4	4	0	59	38	8
4	2	2	63	57	4
4	2	2	54	74	4
4	1	3	64	62	2
4	1	3	56	65	2

1993

D	F
4	3	1	72	40	6
4	3	1	84	59	6
4	3	1	91	71	6
4	1	3	71	80	2
4	0	4	42	110	0

1994

D	F
4	4	0	159	58	8	Champions; qualified for 1995–96 Heineken Cup
4	2	2	84	51	4	Qualified for 1995–96 Heineken Cup
4	2	2	65	80	4	Qualified for 1995–96 Heineken Cup
4	1	3	77	117	2
4	1	3	55	134	2

Munster beat Ulster in an Interpro for the first time since 1980.^[6]

1995

The 1995 IRFU Interprovincial Championship was the first to be held since rugby union was declared open to professionalism. At this stage the Irish provinces were still representative teams, not professional clubs.^[7] Many involved in the game were concerned that domestic clubs could not afford to pay players, who could be lost to professional teams in England.^[8] In September, the IRFU confirmed that, for this season, only senior international players would be paid,^[9] with a one-year moratorium on payment for club and provincial players.^[10] As the situation developed, match fees became available for Heineken Cup and Interprovincial matches.^[11] Leinster won the Interprovincial title for the first time in twelve years.^[12]

D	F
4	4	0	133	53	8	Champions; qualified for 1996–97 Heineken Cup
4	3	1	73	53	6	Qualified for 1996–97 Heineken Cup
4	2	2	91	58	4	Qualified for 1996–97 Heineken Cup
4	1	3	71	113	2
4	0	4	51	142	0	Qualified for 1996–97 European Challenge Cup

1996

The 1996 Interprovincial Championship was sponsored by Guinness in a three-year deal worth £115,000, taking over from the previous sponsors, Smithwicks.^[13] The Irish Exiles were no longer able to compete as matches clashed with club games in England.^[14]

At this stage the Irish provinces were still representative teams, not professional clubs. However, the provinces were now offering contracts and match fees for Heineken Cup and Interprovincial matches, although these contracts sometimes conflicted with players contracted to clubs in England.^[15]

D	F	Status
3	3	0	117	92	-	6	Champions; qualified for 1997–98 Heineken Cup
3	1	2	88	92	-	2	Qualified for 1997–98 Heineken Cup
3	1	2	81	89	-	2	Qualified for 1997–98 Heineken Cup
3	1	2	77	90	-	2	Qualified for 1997–98 European Challenge Cup

1997

The IRFU offered new contracts for provincial players for this season. Full-time players would receive a retainer of £25,000, plus a win bonus of £500 for Heineken Cup matches. Part-time players would be paid a retainer of £7,500, plus a match fee of £400 for Interprovincial matches and £800 for the Heineken Cup, and a win bonus of £450 for both competitions.^[16] Each province could have a maximum of 30 contracted players.^[17]

D	F	Status
3	2	1	61	46	-	4	Champions; qualified for 1998–99 Heineken Cup
3	2	1	56	43	-	4	Qualified for 1998–99 Heineken Cup
3	1	2	59	65	-	2	Qualified for 1998–99 Heineken Cup
3	1	2	42	64	-	2	Qualified for 1998–99 European Challenge Cup

1998

This season, the tournament adopted a new format, with each team playing each other home and away. The tournament points system was adopted from Super 12 and the Tri Nations, with four points for a win and two for a draw, a bonus point for scoring four or more tries in a match, and a bonus point for losing by seven points or less.^[18] This led to an average of over four tries scored per match.^[19]

The tournament was strengthened by a drive by Ireland coach Warren Gatland to bring Irish players who had signed contracts with English clubs back to Ireland to play in the Interprovincial Championship and Heineken Cup.^[20] The provinces would have squads of 30 players, most of whom would be full-time professionals.^[21]

The title came down to a decider between Leinster and Munster at Donnybrook,^[22] with both teams level on points going into the final weekend. Munster took the title with a win, thanks to a man-of-the-match performance by Alan Quinlan.^[23]

Tony Ward, writing in the Irish Independent, selected the following as Team of the Championship:

1. Peter Clohessy (Munster),2. Mark McDermott (Munster),3. Angus McKeen (Leinster),4. Mick Galwey (Munster),5. Eddie Halvey (Munster),6. Ian Dillon (Connacht),7. Andy Ward (Ulster),8. Alan Quinlan (Munster),9. Conor McGuinness (Connacht),10. David Humphreys (Ulster),11. Girvan Dempsey (Leinster),12. Pat Duignan (Connacht),13. Jonathan Bell (Ulster),14. John Lacey (Munster),15. Brian Roche (Munster).

P	D	F	Status
Munster	6	4	2	125	92	2	18	Champions; qualified for 1999–2000 Heineken Cup
Ulster	6	3	3	137	119	3	15	Qualified for 1999–2000 Heineken Cup
Leinster	6	3	3	135	136	2	14	Qualified for 1999–2000 Heineken Cup
Connacht	6	2	4	95	145	3	11	Qualified for 1999–2000 European Challenge Cup

1999

D	F	Status
6	6	0	242	103	5	29	Champions; qualified for 2000–01 Heineken Cup
6	3	3	186	129	3	15	Qualified for next season's Heineken Cup
6	2	4	145	137	2	10	Qualified for 2000–01 Heineken Cup
6	0	6	85	289	1	1	Qualified 2000–01 European Challenge Cup

2000

D	F	BP	Status
6	5	1	0	151	99	1	23	Champions; qualified for 2001–02 Heineken Cup
6	3	0	3	144	119	3	15	Qualified for 2001–02 Heineken Cup
6	2	1	3	109	111	2	12	Qualified for 2001–02 Heineken Cup
6	1	0	5	100	175	1	5	Qualified for 2001–02 European Challenge Cup

2001–02

The 2001–02 IRFU Interprovincial Championship was a transitional season before the competition was superseded by the Celtic League. Pool matches between Irish provinces in the 2001–02 Celtic League counted towards the championship. The remaining Interprovincial fixtures were originally scheduled to take place in December 2001, but were postponed because IRFU director of fitness Dr. Liam Hennessy felt that the schedule, between the Celtic League, the Heineken Cup and the Autumn internationals, was too onerous and players needed a period of rest and recovery to prepare for the Six Nations.^[24] They took place in April and May 2002.^[25]

D	F	BP	Status
3	2	0	1	86	35	2	12	Champions; qualified for 2002–03 Heineken Cup
3	2	0	1	50	66	0	8	Qualified for 2002–03 Heineken Cup
3	1	1	1	64	48	1	7	Qualified for 2002–03 Heineken Cup
3	0	0	3	56	107	1	1	Qualified 2002–03 European Challenge Cup

Additional matches

Notes and References

https://www.irishrugby.ie/irfu/history/archived-team-history/ IRFU Team History Archive
Gerry Thornley, "Interpro series to be cut back", The Irish Times, 18 December 2001
Conor Neville, "The 10 Best Connacht Players Ever To Play For Ireland", Balls.ie, 16 February 2016
https://www.irishtimes.com/news/leinster-add-to-trophy-haul-1.422630 "Leinster add to trophy haul"
"Cara sponsor interpros", Irish Examiner, 27 August 1992
Mark Jonas, "Overdue win for Munster", Sunday Tribune, 13 November 1994
Peter O'Reilly, "Ulster coach warns on power balance", The Sunday Tribune, 22 September 1996
Jim Stokes, "IRFU tackle 'pro' issue", Belfast Telegraph, 28 August 1995
Jim Stokes, "International players only to 'cash in'", Belfast Telegraph, 12 September 1995
Jimmy Davidson, "Market forces takes strangle hold on rugby", Belfast Telegraph, 4 November 1995
Tyrone Howe, "Local game needs a professional outlook", Belfast Telegraph, 13 January 1996
Jim Stokes, "Whiteout!", Belfast Telegraph, 23 December 1995
"Guinness good for inter-pros", Evening Herald. 19 September 1996
"AIL gets a radical overhaul", Irish Independent, 1 March 1996
"Reid's cautionary note on contracts", Belfast Telegraph, 23 March 1996
"Seventy six players win IRFU contracts", Irish Independent, 17 July 1997
Barry Coughlan, "IRFU brings home the message with provincial contracts", Irish Examiner, 1 May 1998
Grant Robbins, "Restructured Interpros puts emphasis on attack", Evening Herald, 14 August 1998
Andy Ward, "Top notch Inter-pro series puts IRFU back on track", Irish Independent, 27 October 1998
Jonathan Bradley, The Last Amateurs: The Incredible Story of Ulster Rugby's 1999 European Champions, The Blackstaff Press, 2018, p. 16
Brendan Fanning, "Celtic Cup is Irish sides' best chance of success", Sunday Independent, 1 March 1998
Kieran Rooney, "Dramatic finale", Irish Independent, 23 October 1998
Kieran Rooney, "Southern pride rules roost at Donnybrook", Irish Independent, 24 October 1998
Tony Ward, "Fitness guru kicks Interpro games to touch", Irish Independent, 18 December 2001
Aidan Corr, "Munster face into a hectic season", Limerick Chronicle, 24 July 2001