'Celtic Cup' concept launched
Scotland's win over France was not enough to book a place in Euro 2008
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Monday, 26, Nov 2007 10:47
Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland have reached a provisional agreement to play a biennial tournament from 2009.
The quartet have made plans for three editions of the competition which would be played on a league basis.
Each team would play three matches with home advantage rotated between teams between tournaments.
The announcement comes after England distanced themselves from calls for the revival of the Home Championship which was last held in 1984.
The failure of all the United Kingdom sides to progress to next summer's Euro 2008 finals prompted suggestions it could be staged again this summer, but instead the Republic of Ireland will now be included in a new tournament beginning the year after.
The tournament's 2009 start and biennial cycle ensures that it falls only in years without existing major international competitions.
It is hoped the tournament will provide a more prominent stage for players who may never reach the finals of the World Cup or European Championships.
The Republic of Ireland's 2002 World Cup campaign was the most recent appearance in either competition, but Wales have to look back to the 1958 World Cup.