Top four Division One clubs qualify for play-off. Home advantage in semi-finals: 1 v 4, 2 v 3.

Bottom three clubs relegated.

Play-off between 11th placed club in Division One and runners-up in Division Two for place in Division One.

Division Two champions are promoted. Runners-up into play-off.

Bottom three clubs in Division Two are relegated.

Play-off between 11th placed club in Division Two and runners-up in Division Three for place in Division Two.

Division Three champions are promoted. Runners-up into play-off.

Bottom two clubs in Division Three are relegated.

Play-off between ninth-placed club in Division Three and runners-up in Division Four for place in Division Three.

Division Four champions are promoted. Runners-up into play-off.

Bottom club in Division Four are relegated.

Winner of provincial qualifying round-robin is promoted. Runner-up in qualifying round-robin plays-off with ninth-placed club in Division Four.

Financial Dividends

Grants - Division One (14 clubs) - £30,000 each. Division Two (14 clubs) - £20,000 each. Division Three (11 clubs) - £15,000 each. Division Four (10 clubs) - £10,000 each. Prize Money: League series: 1st - £15,000. 2nd - £10,000. 3rd - £7,500. 4th - £5,000. Play-off series: Winners - £15,000. Runners-up - £10,000. Beaten semi-finalists - £6,000 each.

Semi-finals will be played on April 18th. The final is fixed for Lansdowne Road on April 25th.

Division Two: Winners - £12,000. 2nd - £8,000. 3rd - £4,000. 4th - £2,000. Division Three: Winners - £8,000. 2nd - £6,000. Division Four: Winners - £6,000. 2nd - £3,000.

The normal funding towards travel and accommodation expenses for away matches (amounting to £300,000 last season) will again be met in 1997-98.