LONDON (AFP) - A 'Celtic Cup' featuring Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland could kick off in 2009 after the four federations agreed "in principle" to the idea on Monday.

An agreement signed on Monday means the countries are set to arrange the biennial tournaments on a league basis, according to a report on the BBC.

Home and away games will be rotated from one tournament to the next with each team playing three matches in each of the competitions.

England last week distanced themselves from involvement.

The old Home Championship, which included England but not the Republic of Ireland, was staged every year until 1984.

But matches between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland were eventually scrapped because of increasing fixture congestion.

Last week Britain's Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, said he would welcome the revival of home internationals to ease the pain of Euro 2008 misery for the four home nations.

England's defeat by Croatia, following the failures of Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales triggered calls for the sides to face each other in 2008.

It is the first time since 1994 that no home nations have qualified for a major tournament.