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designated host of the final for the 2009 tournament (Scotland) and current holders (Northern Ireland) pre-qualified for the Semi-Finals, a three team mini league between England, Wales and the Republic of Ireland could act as a preliminary round.

If the Republic of Ireland were to participate, their wonderful new Lansdowne Road Stadium would stage would be used. Over the course of three predetermined international dates each of the three national teams in the preliminary round will play one home and one away fixture following a draw.

For example:

Republic of Ireland v Wales
England v Republic of Ireland
Wales v England

To dismiss any notion of favouritism the final group table could appear thus:

1. Republic of Ireland
2. Wales
-
3. England

In this instance the Republic of Ireland and Wales would qualify for the semi-finals against either Scotland or Northern Ireland.

WHO WOULD PRE-QUALIFY?

I suggest that the host of each tournament final plus the previous competition winner should receive a bye through to the Semi-Finals. If the host is also the current holder of the trophy the losing finalist at the previous competition should qualify.

With five teams this would mean that the tournament would rotate around all five nations competing rather the example above which included four.

SUMMARY

As I've already said I believe that both these formats will generate a lot of interest in the tournament, not just in the UK and Ireland but in the rest of the world too. Britain gave the game to the world and a tournament in between major tournaments would generate a lot of interest abroad.

Learn more about this author, Jeremy Orbell.
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