The IRFU Interprovincial Championship was a rugby union competition between the four provinces of Ireland – Ulster, Leinster, Munster and Connacht – and, for a brief period the Irish Exiles, run by the Irish Rugby Football Union.
History
Original competition
The Interprovincial Championship, often shortened to the Interpros, was run as a distinct competition from 1946–47 to 2000–01,IRFU Team History Archive, Interprovincial Championship Results, page 1, page 2, page 3 with the 2001–02 fixtures being fulfilled by the match-ups in the newly formed Celtic League.Gerry Thornley, "Interpro series to be cut back", The Irish Times, 18 December 2001 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.Conor Neville, "The 10 Best Connacht Players Ever To Play For Ireland", Balls.ie, 16 February 2016 The Irish Exiles took part for four years (1992–93 – 1995–96). Fixture pressure meant the competition ceased after the 2001 edition.
URC Irish Shield
In 2021, the United Rugby Championship introduced regional shields with the Irish provinces competing for the URC 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 a form of the Interprovincial Championship for the first time since 2002 (albeit with professional, not representative, teams).
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"Leinster add to trophy haul", The Irish Times, 8 May 2002 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* Irish Exiles(best result, runner-up, 1992) * 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 Team P W D L F A 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 Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 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 Team P W D LFAPts 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 Team P W D LFAPts 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 Team P W D LFAPts 3 3 0 0 17 0 6 3 2 0 1 43 20 4 3 1 0 2 26 25 2 3 0 0 3 12 53 0
1949 Team P W D LFAPts 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 Team P W D LFAPts 3 3 0 0 42 9 6 3 1 0 2 21 22 2 3 1 0 2 17 26 2 3 1 0 2 21 44 2
1951 Team P W D LFAPts 3 3 0 0 46 17 6 3 2 0 1 65 29 4 3 1 0 2 40 31 2 3 0 0 3 6 80 0
1952 Team P W D LFAPts 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 Team P W D LFAPts 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 Team P W D LFAPts 3 2 0 1 19 15 4 3 2 0 1 17 14 4 3 1 0 2 20 20 2 3 1 0 2 12 19 2
1955 Team P W D LFAPts 3 2 0 1 36 21 4 3 2 0 1 23 23 4 3 1 0 2 20 21 2 3 1 0 2 24 38 2
1956 Team P W D LFAPts 3 2 0 1 44 29 4 3 2 0 1 25 15 4 3 2 0 1 19 25 4 3 0 0 3 15 34 0
1957 Team P W D LFAPts 3 3 0 0 33 18 6 3 2 0 1 53 36 4 3 1 0 2 34 46 2 3 0 0 3 15 35 0
1958 Team P W D LFAPts 3 3 0 0 57 15 6 3 1 0 2 17 23 2 3 1 0 2 25 36 2 3 1 0 2 15 40 2
1959 Team P W D LFAPts 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 Team P W D LFAPts 3 1 2 0 23 18 4 3 1 1 1 23 18 3 3 1 1 1 6 8 3 3 1 0 2 17 25 2
1961 Team P W D LFAPts 3 3 0 0 27 15 6 3 2 0 1 40 11 4 3 1 0 2 17 35 2 3 0 0 3 12 35 0
1962 Team P W D LFAPts 3 3 0 0 31 6 6 3 2 0 1 30 25 4 3 1 0 2 32 42 2 3 0 0 3 23 43 0
1963 Team P W D LFAPts 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 Team P W D LFAPts 3 1 2 0 28 17 4 3 1 1 1 21 17 3 3 1 1 1 17 27 3 3 0 2 1 11 16 2
1965 Team P W D LFAPts 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 Team P W D LFAPts 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 Team P W D LFAPts 3 3 0 0 36 23 6 3 2 0 1 37 25 4 3 1 0 2 22 30 2 3 0 0 3 32 49 0
1968 Team P W D LFAPts 3 3 0 0 43 20 6 3 2 0 1 34 34 4 3 1 0 2 31 34 2 3 0 0 3 18 38 0
1969 Team P W D LFAPts 3 2 1 0 29 6 5 3 2 0 1 41 18 4 3 1 1 1 31 15 3 3 0 0 3 6 68 0
1970 Team P W D LFAPts 3 3 0 0 56 6 6 3 2 0 1 24 9 4 3 1 0 2 12 18 2 3 0 0 3 3 62 0
1971 Team P W D LFAPts 3 3 0 0 33 16 6 3 2 0 1 36 18 4 3 1 0 2 16 22 2 3 0 0 3 6 35 0
1972 Team P W D LFAPts 3 2 0 1 47 20 4 3 2 0 1 32 16 4 3 2 0 1 33 23 4 3 0 0 3 9 62 0
1973 Team P W D LFAPts 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 Team P W D LFAPts 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 Team P W D LFAPts 3 2 0 1 32 15 4 3 2 0 1 23 18 4 3 2 0 1 24 26 4 3 0 0 3 9 29 0
1976 Team P W D LFAPts 3 3 0 0 76 48 6 3 2 0 1 54 45 4 3 1 0 2 43 45 2 3 0 0 3 16 47 0
1977 Team P W D LFAPts 3 2 0 1 69 42 4 3 2 0 1 45 38 4 3 2 0 1 31 25 4 3 0 0 3 18 58 0
1978 Team P W D LFAPts 3 3 0 0 42 12 6 3 2 0 1 25 21 4 3 1 0 2 20 24 2 3 0 0 3 13 43 0
1979 Team P W D LFAPts 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 Team P W D LFAPts 3 3 0 0 75 27 6 3 2 0 1 46 28 4 3 1 0 2 32 72 2 3 0 0 3 21 47 0
1981 Team P W D LFAPts 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 Team P W D LFAPts 3 2 0 1 34 25 4 3 2 0 1 50 46 4 3 2 0 1 28 32 4 3 0 0 3 35 44 0
1983 Team P W D LFAPts 3 3 0 0 71 35 6 3 1 0 2 54 32 2 3 1 0 2 33 41 2 3 1 0 2 22 62 2
1984 Team P W D LFAPts 3 3 0 0 58 15 6 3 2 0 1 32 28 4 3 1 0 2 30 38 2 3 0 0 3 18 57 0
1985 Team P W D LFAPts 3 3 0 0 54 22 6 3 1 0 2 34 34 2 3 1 0 2 24 34 2 3 1 0 2 25 47 2
1986 Team P W D LFAPts 3 3 0 0 68 24 6 3 2 0 1 68 23 4 3 1 0 2 23 87 2 3 0 0 3 18 43 0
1987 Team P W D LFAPts 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 Team P W D LFAPts 3 3 0 0 46 29 6 3 1 0 2 50 41 2 3 1 0 2 46 45 2 3 1 0 2 24 51 2
1989 Team P W D LFAPts 3 3 0 0 65 19 6 3 2 0 1 34 26 4 3 2 0 1 25 36 2 3 0 0 3 25 68 0
1990 Team P W D LFAPts 3 3 0 0 48 30 6 3 2 0 1 61 49 4 3 2 0 1 38 58 2 3 0 0 3 45 55 0
1991 Team P W D LFAPts 3 2 1 0 69 53 5 3 2 0 1 57 49 4 3 1 0 2 48 51 2 3 0 1 2 28 49 1
1992 This season, the IRFU Interprovincial Championship was sponsored by Cara Computers, and for the first time included the Irish Exiles."Cara sponsor interpros", Irish Examiner, 27 August 1992
Team P W D LFAPts Status 4 4 0 0 59 38 8 4 2 0 2 63 57 4 4 2 0 2 54 74 4 4 1 0 3 64 62 2 4 1 0 3 56 65 2
1993 Team P W D LFAPts Status 4 3 0 1 72 40 6 4 3 0 1 84 59 6 4 3 0 1 91 71 6 4 1 0 3 71 80 2 4 0 0 4 42 110 0
1994 Team P W D LFAPts Status 4 4 0 0 159 58 8 Champions; qualified for 1995–96 Heineken Cup 4 2 0 2 84 51 4 Qualified for 1995–96 Heineken Cup 4 2 0 2 65 80 4 Qualified for 1995–96 Heineken Cup 4 1 0 3 77 117 2 4 1 0 3 55 134 2 Munster beat Ulster in an Interpro for the first time since 1980.Mark Jonas, "Overdue win for Munster", Sunday Tribune, 13 November 1994
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.Peter O'Reilly, "Ulster coach warns on power balance", The Sunday Tribune, 22 September 1996 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.Jim Stokes, "IRFU tackle 'pro' issue", Belfast Telegraph, 28 August 1995 In September, the IRFU confirmed that, for this season, only senior international players would be paid,Jim Stokes, "International players only to 'cash in'", Belfast Telegraph, 12 September 1995 with a one-year moratorium on payment for club and provincial players.Jimmy Davidson, "Market forces takes strangle hold on rugby", Belfast Telegraph, 4 November 1995 As the situation developed, match fees became available for Heineken Cup and Interprovincial matches.Tyrone Howe, "Local game needs a professional outlook", Belfast Telegraph, 13 January 1996 Leinster won the Interprovincial title for the first time in twelve years.Jim Stokes, "Whiteout!", Belfast Telegraph, 23 December 1995
Team P W D LFAPts Status 4 4 0 0 133 53 8 Champions; qualified for 1996–97 Heineken Cup 4 3 0 1 73 53 6 Qualified for 1996–97 Heineken Cup 4 2 0 2 91 58 4 Qualified for 1996–97 Heineken Cup 4 1 0 3 71 113 2 4 0 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."Guinness good for inter-pros", Evening Herald. 19 September 1996 The Irish Exiles were no longer able to compete as matches clashed with club games in England."AIL gets a radical overhaul", Irish Independent, 1 March 1996
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."Reid's cautionary note on contracts", Belfast Telegraph, 23 March 1996
Team P W D LFA BPPts Status 3 3 0 0 117 92 - 6 Champions; qualified for 1997–98 Heineken Cup 3 1 0 2 88 92 - 2 Qualified for 1997–98 Heineken Cup 3 1 0 2 81 89 - 2 Qualified for 1997–98 Heineken Cup 3 1 0 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."Seventy six players win IRFU contracts", Irish Independent, 17 July 1997 Each province could have a maximum of 30 contracted players.Barry Coughlan, "IRFU brings home the message with provincial contracts", Irish Examiner, 1 May 1998
Team P W D LFA BPPts Status 3 2 0 1 61 46 - 4 Champions; qualified for 1998–99 Heineken Cup 3 2 0 1 56 43 - 4 Qualified for 1998–99 Heineken Cup 3 1 0 2 59 65 - 2 Qualified for 1998–99 Heineken Cup 3 1 0 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.Grant Robbins, "Restructured Interpros puts emphasis on attack", Evening Herald, 14 August 1998 This led to an average of over four tries scored per match.Andy Ward, "Top notch Inter-pro series puts IRFU back on track", Irish Independent, 27 October 1998