Marmion sees the positives

Connacht and Ireland scrum half Kieran Marmion is backing a new Pro 14 tournament that would include two South African teams.

The Celtic League have confirmed they are "in advanced and positive talks" with two South African sides keen to join the competition.

The Port Elizabeth-based Kings and Bloemfontein's Cheetahs hope to play in an expanded 'Pro 14' against Irish, Scottish, Welsh and Italian sides after losing their Super Rugby status.

And Marmion, who said the players have not been consulted about the proposals, hopes the addition of two new teams will energise the competition.

"I guess it brings it out of the Celtic Leagues a little bit, expanding the competition that way, so I don’t see anything negative about it," he said.

"I guess if the South African teams are competitive in it, hopefully it can help teams in the league to get better. The more competitive it is, the better for people viewing.

"They'll offer something different in the league, they'll be pretty physical, and a trip away to South Africa would be as tough as they come really.

"It's definitely a physical challenge. I think the Cheetahs play at altitude, so that’s another thing we don't have here."

Marmion returns to training on Monday, after an extended break following Ireland's summer tour of the United States and Japan.

And the 26-year-old is itching to for the new season to start, after Connacht's disappointing defence of their Pro 12 title last season. 

Connacht finished eighth, and missed out on a European Rugby Champions Cup spot, with just nine wins from their 22 matches in 2016-17.

"Obviously, the season last year was pretty disappointing, especially after the highs of the year before, we expected a lot more of ourselves," he said. 

"Not qualifying for the Champions Cup this year is hugely disappointing. 

"I guess every game we play is an opportunity to impress individually as well and put our hands forward to get in Irish squads, so I guess a few lads took those opportunities but as a team it was pretty disappointing how things ended up."

Image: Inpho/Ryan Byrne

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