The newly created British & Irish Cup, involving teams from England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, kicks-off next week and this is the first of a series of regular Media Updates that will be issued to keep everyone up to date on the tournament. Please feel free to use any of this copy in the build-up to the kick-off on Friday, 20 November.
ARWEL WANTS NEATH TO BE SHIP SHAPE FOR BRISTOL VISIT
Arwel Thomas is hoping to put one over on his old Bristol team mate Paul Hull when the new British & Irish Cup kicks-off on Friday, 20 November.
The 26 times capped Welsh outside half will lead Neath into the new tournament and will be looking to turn back the clock to when he made his debut in another new competition, the European Challenge Cup, as long ago as 1996.
Then it was in the all white strip of Swansea having just returned to Wales from Bristol. On that day he kicked-off his European campaign with four conversions in a 63-38 home win over London Irish.
Fast forward 13 years and the 35-year-old Thomas believes the British & Irish Cup could have a similar impact on the rugby landscape as the European tournaments did after the game turned professional.
"I can sense similar levels of excitement and apprehension within the Neath club now as there were back in the nineties at Swansea. There is a feeling we are about to step into the unknown," said Thomas.
"There is no doubt the Heineken Cup and European Challenge Cup completely changed the face of the professional club game in the UK and Ireland and perhaps the British & Irish Cup could have a similar impact at our level.
"It has certainly created a new buzz among the players and we are all looking forward to testing ourselves against one of England's top sides. We played Bristol in a pre-season friendly at The Gnoll a few seasons ago and it was a great night - especially as we won.
"For many of our players it will be a step up in quality from what they are used to in the Principality Premiership, but that can only be a good thing. We've got some very good youngsters in our squad and for the likes of hooker Gerwyn Price, centre Luke Ford, wing Dai Evans and prop Nicky Downes, this competition could be the making of them."
As well as Thomas, Neath also have 2005 Welsh Grand Slam full back Kevin Morgan and ex-Dragons and Scarlets centre Nathan Brew as internationals in their ranks.
But, as Thomas, concedes, it is not about them reliving past glories. The British & Irish Cup is all about increasing the standard and pushing the younger, more ambitious players.
"We like to think we are one of the most professional clubs in Wales at our level. We train an extra night each week, do gym work and prepare as well as we possibly can," said Thomas.
"But we really don't know what to expect from the likes of Munster or Heriot's FP in our Pool. We know all the English sides will be very strong and that is our only concern - will we be able to compete at this level.
"I know from my days at Bristol just how strong the English league system is, although those days were so long ago that Bristol were still wearing letters. But we're ready for the challenge and the players are really up for it."
SCOTS GETTING READY TO KICK UP A STORM
The Scots have created a new team to enter into the British & Irish Cup, Gael Force, and they kicked up quite a storm in one of their warm-up outings before they kick-off their Pool A campaign.
Comprising young professionals from both Edinburgh and Glasgow, as well as players from the SRU's National Academy, the combined side pulled off a highly commendable 20-19 victory at Doncaster Knights as they got ready for their first Cup assignment at Cornish Pirates on Sunday, 22 November.
"I think the result proved that Gael Force can be serious contenders in this competition and I think it showed the strength of the teams that Gael Force are going to be able to put out," said full back Tom Bury
"Our strength lies playing good running rugby with lots of offloading and that's how we intend to play."
Scottish Rugby's National Academy Manager, Stephen Gemmell, will be coaching the side and will be assisted by 18-times capped Graham Shiel and 11-times capped hooker Steve Scott.
The new side will be based at Stirling County's Bridgehaugh ground and the National Academy contracted players available to Gemmell and his coaching team will be:
Grant Anderson (Ayr) Alex Blair (Edin Accies)
Chris Bloomfield (Currie) Fraser Brown (Watsonians)
Tom Brown (Edinburgh Accies) Tom Bury (Boroughmuir)
Nick Campbell (Glasgow Hawks) David Denton (Edin Accies)
Struan Dewar (Heriot's) Michael Doneghan (Stew Mel)
Alex Dunbar (Selkirk) Chris Fusaro (Heriot's)
Grant Gilchrist (Heriot's) Finlay Gillies (Heriot's)*
Robert Harley (West of Scotland) Robin Hislop (Boroughmuir)
Stuart Hogg (Heriot's)* Rory Hutton (Heriot's)
Peter Jericevich (Glasgow Hawks) James Johnstone (Currie)
Nicky Little (Hawick)
Ashleah McCulloch (Watsonians)
Stuart McInally (Watsonians) Lewis Niven (Edin Accies)
Neale Patrick (Boroughmuir) Neil Rodger (Haddington)
Joe Stafford (Glasgow Hawks) Steven Wilson (Edin Accies)
HOWELLS NOT WILLING TO LOOK ONE STEP AHEAD
You could forgive Doncaster Knights director of rugby Lynn Howells for casting his mind forward to Round 2 of the British & Irish Cup, when the English side travel to Pontypridd in Pool D.
Because it was at Sardis Road that the former Wales caretaker and assistant coach became a folkhero as he guided Neil Jenkins and co to league and cup titles.
But before the Knights head to the gateway to the south Wales valleys, they have to kick-off their British & Irish Cup campaign at home against Scottish Premier champions, Ayr.
Howells also has close links to Scottish rugby, having coached the Edinburgh professional side and there is a strong contingent from north of the border in the Knights ranks.
Included among the Scottish clan is Steve McCall, who has successfully been transferred to full back this season with dramatic effect. His monster kicking has played a big part in recent good form and the player that Howells first spotted as a teenager when he was working in the Scottish capital is now blossoming into a huge asset.
"I brought Stuart down with me from the Edinburgh Academy and they are still keeping an eye on him. We also have Ali Warnock and Stevie Lawrie in our squad, who came down with me from Scotland," said Howells.
"But we also have quite a strong Welsh contingent as well. Brett Davey, a Pontypridd legend, is coaching alongside me and we have another ex-Sardis Road favourite, Tongan prop Ngalu Tau, in our pack.
"He got a terrific reception from the Ponty fans when we played down there in a pre-season friendly. That game ended in a 22-22 draw.
"This time it will be a different ball game and I'm expecting a typically warm reception both on and off the field. It is going to be a great experience for our players to play in a tournament like this.
"Cross border competitions take you out of your comfort zone and are good for both coaches and players to develop their skills. I can't wait, especially as our Pool also contains another of my former clubs, Cardiff.
"I was in on the ground floor of the Heineken Cup with Pontypridd back in 1995 and I can see the British & Irish Cup perhaps being the start of a fully blown league at this level within the four countries in years to come."
The game at Pontypridd on Friday, 27 November, will give Howells the chance to congratulate one of his former star pupils, ex-Wales scrum half Paul John, on his two recent successes - steering Wales to the Rugby World Cup sevens title and being named this week as the Sports Council for Wales' Coach of the Year.
"Paul is such a quite and unassuming guy, but he really is developing into a first-rate coach. I'm delighted to see him enjoying so much success, but hardly surprised," said Howells.
BRITISH & IRISH CUP
POOL A: Cornish Pirates, Exeter Chiefs, Gael Force Leinster, Newport, Plymouth Albion,
POOL B: Bristol Rugby, Coventry, Heriot's, Munster, Neath, Nottingham
POOL C: Aberavon, Bedford Blues, Llanelli, London Welsh, Moseley, Ulster
POOL D: Ayr, Birmingham & Solihull, Cardiff, Doncaster Knights, Pontypridd, Rotherham Titans
ROUND 1
Friday, 20 November
Pool A: Newport v Exeter Chiefs (19.30)
Pool B: Neath v Bristol Rugby (19:30), Coventry v Munster (19:45)
Pool C: Llanelli v Aberavon (19:15), Moseley v London Welsh (19:30), Ulster v Bedford Blues (19:30)
Pool D: Pontypridd v Cardiff (19:15)
Saturday, 21 November
Pool A: Plymouth Albion v Leinster (16.30)
Pool B: Heriots FP v Nottingham (14:00)
Pool D: Doncaster Knights v Ayr (14:00), Rotherham Titans v Birmingham & Solihull (14:00)
Sunday, 22 November
Pool A: Cornish Pirates v Gael Force (14.00)
ROUND 2
Friday, 27 November
Pool A: Leinster v Cornish Pirates (16:00), Newport v Plymouth Albion (19:30)
Pool B: Coventry v Heriots FP (19:45), Munster v Bristol (19:30)
Pool C: Aberavon v London Welsh (19:15), Moseley v Ulster (19:30)
Pool D: Ayr v Rotherham Titans (20:00), Pontypridd v Doncaster Knights (19:30)
Saturday, 28 November
Pool B: Exeter Chiefs v Gael Force (15:00), Nottingham v Neath (15:00)
Pool C: Bedford Blues v Llanelli (15:00)
Pool D: Birmingham & Solihull v Cardiff (14:00)
ROUND 3
Friday, 12 February
Pool A: Newport v Gael Force (19:30)
Pool C: Aberavon v Moseley (19:30), Llanelli v Ulster (19:15)
Saturday, 13 February
Pool A: Exeter Chiefs v Leinster (15:00), Plymouth Albion v Cornish Pirates (15:00)
Pool B: Munster v Nottingham
Pool C: London Welsh v Bedford Blues (14:00)
Pool D: Ayr v Birmingham & Solihull, Rotherham Titans v Pontypridd (14:00)
Sunday, 14 February
Pool B: Heriots FP v Neath (14:00), Bristol Rugby v Coventry (13:00)
Pool D: Doncaster Knights v Cardiff (15:00)
ROUND 4
Friday, 26 February
Pool A: Leinster v Newport (15:00), Gael Force v Plymouth Albion (19:00)
Pool C: Ulster v London Welsh (19:30)
Saturday, 27 February
Pool B: Neath v Munster (14:00)
Pool C: Bedford Blues v Aberavon (14:00), Llanelli v Moseley (14:30)
Pool D: Ayr v Pontypridd (15:00), Cardiff v Rotherham Titans (14:30)
Sunday, 28 February
Pool A: Cornish Pirates v Exeter Chiefs (14:00)
Pool B: Bristol Rugby v Heriots FP (15:00), Nottingham v Coventry (15:00)
Pool D: Doncaster Knights v Birmingham & Solihull
ROUND 5
Friday, 5 March
Pool C: Moseley v Bedford Blues (19:30)
Saturday, 6 March
Pool A: Plymouth Albion v Exeter Chiefs (15:00)
Pool B: Munster v Heriots FP, Neath v Coventry (14:30)
Pool D: Birmingham & Solihull v Pontypridd (15:00), Cardiff v Ayr (14:30), Rotherham Titans v Doncaster Knights (14:00)
Sunday, 7 March
Pool A: Cornish Pirates v Newport (15:00), Gael Force v Leinster (19:00)
Pool B: Nottingham v Bristol Rugby (15:00)
Pool C: London Welsh v Llanelli (14:00)
Friday, 12 March
Pool C: Ulster v Aberavon (19:30)
Semi-Finals: 24 April; Final: 15 May
THE CONCEPT
24 Teams
-12 English Championship clubs (Bedford, Birmingham & Solihull, Bristol Rugby, Cornish Pirates, Coventry, Doncaster Knights, Exeter Chiefs, London Welsh, Moseley, Nottingham, Plymouth Albion, Rotherham Titans)
- top 6 Welsh Principality Premiership clubs (Aberavon, Cardiff, Llanelli, Neath, Newport, Pontypridd)
- 3 Irish provinces (Munster, Leinster, Ulster)
- 3 Scottish teams - top two finishers in Scottish Hydro Electric Premiership Division 1 (champions Ayr and runners-up Heriot's) and the Gael Force, a team drawn from Edinburgh and Glasgow and members of Scottish Rugby's National Academy
Pool Stages
- 4 Pools of 6 playing once (5 matches)
- Pools based on travel/geography with the aim of maximising local interest and minimising cost to teams and supporters
- 4 points for a win, 2 for a draw, 1 bonus point for either a) scoring 4 or more tries or b) losing by 7 points or less
- Pool matches scheduled for November 27 and 28, February 13, February 27, March 13 (all dates to be confirmed)
- Pool winners progress to knockout stage
Semi Finals and Final
- 4 Pool winners progress to semi finals and final
- Semi finals scheduled for April 24, final for May 15
This press release was produced by Sotic Ltd.
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