Italians pick Celtic League teams

Italian fans can look forward to some top level club rugby

Italian teams Aironi and Praetorians Roma will compete in the Magners League from the start of the 2010-11 season.

Four teams submitted bids to the Italian Rugby Federation (FIR) to attempt to win the right to represent their country in the competition.

Aironi, from the northern town of Viadana, and capital team Praetorians were given the green light ahead of Benetton Treviso and Duchi Nord-Ovest.

Their addition sees the Magners League increase in size from 10 to 12 teams.

The two franchises will have until 30 September to demonstrate that they can guarantee the funds needed to support a team in the league, which is currently made up of Welsh, Irish and Scottish teams.

The FIR has put in place a financial scheme to help encourage the two franchises to sign Italian players, in an attempt to get as many native players competing at the highest level of club competition.

Praetorians will be based in Rome and will play at the city's Stadio Flaminio, while Aironi will be based in Viadana but will play some matches in the city of Reggio Emilia.