Irish A's are Smiling

The Churchill Cup is a key event each year for rugby union in the United States as it provides a large portion of the U.S.A. Eagles' annual matches and was even held in the United States this year. Although a few of the tournament's other entrants (Canada and Georgia this year) are also national sides, many of the other participating nations put a second-level version of their national side in the competition. The 2009 competition was won by one such side, Ireland "A," on Sunday.

That "A" is a key letter in the team name, as it indicates that the side is Ireland's second side and not the "true" side. That might imply that their matches don't mean as much, but you wouldn't so from looking at the Irish side as they won the tournament final 49-22 over their English counterparts, the England Saxons.

The contest between these representative sides brings to mind the broad variety in the names so many nations provide for their second-tier side. It can cause a bit of confusion, particularly given that at the club level many sides choose to refer to their first side as an "A" side and can thus misinterpret the "A" designator's meaning at the national level. To help out any confused parties, here's a list of prominent national second-level sides in rugby union with a brief explanation of each:

• "A" sides: In addition to Ireland, a number of other nations refer to their second side as the "A" side. Scotland, France, Italy, Wales, and Australia have all fielded "A" sides in recent years, though the latter two of these countries are not presently fielding an "A" side.
• England Saxons: The Saxons used to be referred to as England "A" (and previously as England "B," to add to the confusion), but have been known as the Saxons since 2006.
• Junior All Blacks: Though the term "Junior All Blacks" might suggest an age-grade side, the Junior All Blacks are New Zealand's second-grade side and do not have any age association.
• New Zealand Māori: Not technically a second-level side, New Zealand Māori can be mentioned on this list as a similar and unique national rugby union side. Players for the side are New Zealanders with at least one-sixteenth Māori heritage. Although the Junior All Blacks are New Zealand's actual second-level side, the New Zealand Māori outfit has sometimes functioned as something similar to a second-tier New Zealand side by occasionally participating in tournaments such as the Churchill Cup and the Pacific Nations Cup in the Junior All Blacks' stead.
• Emerging Springboks: Like the Junior All Blacks, the Emerging Springboks might sound like an age-grade side, but they are South Africa's second-level representatives. Given that they earned a draw against the touring all-star British and Irish Lions yesterday, some might say they've already emerged!
• Argentina Jaguars: Like the Saxons, the Jaguars have a dedicated nickname that differs from their first-grade counterparts the Pumas.

In rugby league, officially-named second-tier national sides are featured less frequently, though there are some interesting representative sides such as:

• New Zealand Māori, which has the same eligibility requirements as the union version of the side,
• Indigenous Dreamtime, an Australian counterpart to the NZ Māori whose players are all at least one-sixteenth aboriginal in heritage, and the
• Prime Minister's XIII, a side picked each year by the Australian Prime Minister to play against Papua New Guinea.

Hopefully that will help you keep track of all the monikers given to these second-string sides, which provide as much excitement as their first-grade versions in tournaments all over the globe each year.

Are any "A" sides missing from the list? Post a comment if so.