The Celtic League quarter-final between Connacht and Munster later this month may be decided by a 'Golden Point' after organisers announced the introduction of a new rule to decide tied matches.
Based along the lines of football's `golden goal', the first team to score a `golden point' during a 10 minute extra time period (five minutes each way) will be determined the winner.
It will operate with immediate effect and will initially be used to settle any tied quarter-final at the end of the month.
In the event of tied matches in the 2002-03 tournament and future quarter-finals and semi-finals of the Celtic League, the following criteria will apply to determine the winner:
a)The first team to score during extra time that shall not exceed 10 minutes (five minutes each way)
b)The team who has scored most tries in regular time (80 minutes) of the tied match
c)In the quarter-finals and semi-finals the away team
In the Celtic League final the winner will be determined by
a)followed by
b)above. If still unresolved the winner will be:
d)The team with the fewer red cards over the knock-out stages
e)The team with the fewer yellow cards over the knock-out stages
f)Toss of a coin
Bill Watson, chairman of the Celtic League Association, said the new ruling will help determine a clear cut winner.
"The introduction of the 'Golden Point' to determine the winner of a Celtic League knock-out match that ends in a draw will enhance the sudden death nature of the match and provide a clear-cut winner," he said.