News
Draw for Anglo-Welsh Cup
July 06 2009
Cardiff Blues will kick-off their Anglo-Welsh title defence with a re-run of this year's final against Gloucester after Monday's draw was confirmed.
The Welsh region, who beat the Cherry and Whites 50-12 at Twickenham, have been drawn at Kingsholm on the weekend of November 7.
The newly structured competition will see the twelve Guinness Premiership clubs and four Welsh teams play over four weekends, followed by the semi-finals and finals.
Each team will be guaranteed two home and two away inter-pool fixtures, with the top teams from each pool qualifying for the knockout stages.
"We are delighted that together with Premier Rugby Ltd and the Welsh Rugby Union we have come up with a structure that will not only help players, coaches and officials develop but also provides more revenue potential for the Guinness Premiership clubs and the Welsh regions," said Terry Burwell, Rugby Football Union Tournaments and Competitions Director.
"There is a massive appetite for Cup rugby in England and Wales. The average attendance at pool matches over the past three seasons has been 8506 and the final averaged 60,000.
"We believe this new structure will give players, coaches and supporters an exciting tournament that embodies all that's best about cross-border knockout competition.
"We have a committed broadcaster in SkySports for the next five years and, together with PRL and the WRU, are actively seeking a title sponsor."
WRU Group Chief Executive Roger Lewis said: "There is a rich history and heritage surrounding Anglo-Welsh encounters stretching back many years.
"The Welsh Rugby Union is delighted that the RFU and PRL have secured the future of this great competition. We are all committed to seeing it flourish and grow from the strong base it has already created.
"This Cup competition has captured the imagination of fans from both Wales and England and the final this season was a great occasion.
"It is vitally important for the supporters from both our nations to get the opportunity to see games of the highest standard and this competition serves to deliver that and ensure our talented young players improve by playing against top class opposition."
Pool 1
Leicester Tigers, Sale Sharks, Saracens, Ospreys
Pool 2
London Irish, Gloucester Rugby, Newcastle Falcons, Scarlets
Pool 3
Harlequins, London Wasps, Worcester Warriors, Cardiff Blues
Pool 4
Bath Rugby, Northampton Saints, Leeds Carnegie, Dragons
* Teams in Pool 1 play teams in Pool 4 and teams in Pool 2 play teams in Pool 3.
* Each team guaranteed four pool matches - two home and two away - with the top teams from each pool qualifying for the semi finals.
* Teams have been seeded depending on their finish in last season's Guinness Premiership and Magners League and best efforts have been made to avoid teams playing each other in back to back matches in various competitions.
Fixtures
Round 1 (weekend of November 7, 2009)
Leeds Carnegie v Leicester Tigers
Dragons v Sale Sharks
Saracens v Bath Rugby
Ospreys v Northampton Saints
Gloucester Rugby v Blues
London Irish v London Wasps
Worcester Warriors v Newcastle Falcons
Harlequins v Scarlets