British & Irish Cup thread

[Morgannwg]

First topic message reminder :

Thought we could get a thread on this going where fans could post in news, results and any other updates. From a Welsh perspective Pool 2 looks winable for Bedwas and Pool 6 winable for Llanelli. I know little about the English and Irish teams. The fixtures are as follows:

Pool 1: Cardiff, Bridgend, Bristol, Ulster

Pool 2: Bedford, Bedwas, Stirling County, Neath

Pool 3: Carmarthen Quins, Dundee HSFP, Cornish Pirates, Swansea

Pool 4: Connacht, Cross Keys, Newport, Newcastle

Pool 5: Jersey, Pontypridd, Leinster, Leeds

Pool 6: Gala, Llanelli, London Scottish, Moseley

Pool 7: Aberavon, Munster, Plymouth, Rotherham

Pool 8: Doncaster, Llandovery, Melrose, Nottingham

ROUND ONE
13 October 2012

Pool 1

Cardiff 14 v 23 Bristol (14:30 BST)

Ulster Ravens 49 v 19 Bridgend Ravens (14:30 BST)

Pool 2

Bedwas 23 v 48 Bedford Blues (14:30 BST)

Stirling County 40 v 25 Neath (15:00 BST)

Pool 3

Swansea 43 v 17 Dundee HSFP (14:30 BST)

Cornish Pirates 44 v 32 Carmarthen Quins (15:00 BST)

Pool 4

Newport 18 v 14 Connacht Eagles (14:30 BST)

Newcastle Falcons 52 v 5 Cross Keys (15:00 BST)

Pool 5

Jersey 20 v 20 Pontypridd (15:00 BST)

Leinster A 47 v 18 Leeds Carnegie (19:00 BST)

Pool 6

Gala 27 v 23 London Scottish (14:30 BST)

Moseley 36 v 26 Llanelli (15:00 BST)

Pool 7

Aberavon 21 v 25 Rotherham (14:30 BST)

Plymouth Albion 22 v 26 Munster A (15:00 BST)

Pool 8

Doncaster 29 v 30 Melrose (14:30 BST)

Llandovery 28 v 21 Nottingham (15:00 BST)

ROUND TWO

19 October 2012
Pool 3

Carmarthen Quins 41 v 17 Swansea (19:15 BST)

Pool 4

Connacht Eagles 3 v 34 Newcastle Falcons (19:45 BST)

Pool 8

Nottingham 13 v 27 Doncaster (19:45 BST)

20 October 2012
Pool 1

Bridgend Ravens 25 v 7 Cardiff (14:30 BST)

Pool 2

Neath 45 v 27 Bedwas (TBC)

Bedford Blues 87 v 10 Stirling County (15:00 BST)

Pool 3

Dundee HSFP 6 v 32 Cornish Pirates (15:00 BST)

Pool 4

Cross Keys 20 v 24 Newport (14:30 BST)

Pool 5

Pontypridd 25 v 23 Leinster A (14:00 BST)

Pool 6

London Scottish 37 v 41 Moseley (15:00 BST)

Llanelli 38 v 28 Gala (16:30 BST)

Pool 7

Munster A 19 v 11 Aberavon (13:00 BST)

Rotherham 59 v 26 Plymouth Albion (15:00 BST)

Pool 8

Melrose 14 v 29 Llandovery (14:00 BST)

21 October 2012
Pool 1

Bristol 34 v 28 Ulster Ravens (15:00 BST)

Pool 5

Leeds Carnegie 27 v 33 Jersey (15:00 BST)

ROUND THREE

7 December 2012
Pool 8

Nottingham v Melrose (19:45 GMT)

8 December 2012
Pool 1

Bridgend Ravens v Bristol (14:30 GMT)

Ulster Ravens v Cardiff (TBC)

Pool 2

Neath v Bedford Blues (14:30 GMT)

Stirling County v Bedwas (15:00 GMT)

Pool 3

Carmarthen Quins v Dundee HSFP (14:30 GMT)

Pool 4

Cross Keys v Connacht Eagles (14:30 GMT)

Newport v Newcastle Falcons (14:30 GMT)

Pool 5

Jersey v Leinster A (15:00 GMT)

Pool 6

Gala v Moseley (15:00 GMT)

London Scottish v Llanelli (TBC)

Pool 7

Rotherham v Munster A (14:00 GMT)

Aberavon v Plymouth Albion (14:30 GMT)

Pool 8

Llandovery v Doncaster (15:00 GMT)

9 December 2012
Pool 3

Cornish Pirates v Swansea (14:00 GMT)

Pool 5

Leeds Carnegie v Pontypridd (15:00 GMT)

ROUND FOUR

14 December 2012

Pool 1

Bristol v Bridgend Ravens (19:45 GMT)

Pool 7

Munster A v Rotherham (19:00 GMT)

Plymouth Albion v Aberavon (19:45 GMT)

15 December 2012

Pool 1
Cardiff v Ulster Ravens (14:30 GMT)

Pool 2

Bedwas v Stirling County (14:30 GMT)

Bedford Blues v Neath (15:00 GMT)

Pool 3

Dundee HSFP v Carmarthen Quins (14:00 GMT)

Pool 4

Connacht Eagles v Cross Keys (14:30 GMT)

Pool 5

Pontypridd v Leeds Carnegie (14:30 GMT)

Pool 6

Llanelli v London Scottish (14:30 GMT)

Moseley v Gala (15:00 GMT)

Pool 8

Melrose v Nottingham Greenyards (13:45 GMT)

Doncaster v Llandovery (14:30 GMT)

16 December 2012
Pool 3

Swansea v Cornish Pirates (TBC)

Pool 4

Newcastle Falcons v Newport (15:00 GMT)

Pool 5

Leinster A v Jersey (14:30 GMT)

ROUND FIVE

11 January 2013
Pool 1

Ulster Ravens v Bristol (19:30 GMT)

Pool 6

Moseley v London Scottish (19:45 GMT)

12 January 201 3

Pool 1

Cardiff v Bridgend Ravens (14:30 GMT)

Pool 2

Stirling County v Bedford Blues (14:00 GMT)

Bedwas v Neath (14:30 GMT)

Pool 3

Swansea v Carmarthen Quins (14:30 GMT)

Pool 4

Newport v Cross Keys (14:30 GMT)

Newcastle Falcons v Connacht Eagles (15:00 GMT)

Pool 5

Leinster A v Pontypridd (TBC)

Jersey v Leeds Carnegie (15:00 GMT)

Pool 6

Gala v Llanelli (15:00 GMT)

Pool 7

Aberavon v Munster A (14:30 GMT)

Plymouth Albion v Rotherham (15:00 GMT)

Pool 8

Doncaster v Nottingham (14:30 GMT)

Llandovery v Melrose (15:00 GMT)

13 January 2013
Pool 3

Cornish Pirates v Dundee HSFP (14:00 GMT)

ROUND SIX

18 January 2013
Pool 7

Munster A v Plymouth Albion (19:00 GMT)

19 January 201 3

Pool 1

Bridgend Ravens v Ulster Ravens (14:30 GNT)

Pool 2

Neath v Stirling County (14:30 GMT)

Bedford Blues v Bedwas (15:00 GMT)

Pool 3

Dundee HSFP v Swansea (14:00 GMT)

Carmarthen Quins v Cornish Pirates (14:30 GMT)

Pool 4

Connacht Eagles v Newport (14:00 GMT)

Cross Keys v Newcastle Falcons (14:00 GMT)

Pool 5

Leeds Carnegie v Leinster A (14:00 GMT)

Pontypridd v Jersey (14:30 GMT)

Pool 6

Llanelli v Moseley (14:30 GMT)

London Scottish v Gala (15:00 GMT)

Pool 7

Rotherham v Aberavon (14:00 GMT)

Pool 8

Melrose v Doncaster (14:00 GMT)

Nottingham v Llandovery (14:00 GMT)

20 January 201 3

Pool 1

Bristol v Cardiff (15:00 GMT)

5-7 April 2013 :

Quarter finals

26-28 April 2013:
Semi finals

17 May 2013:
Final

Rules:

* Top team in each pool progress to knockout stage

Please note: Fixtures are subject to change. Morgannwg is not responsible for any changes that may be made

[The Great Aukster]

WL/8 - why would the AP clubs be interested in an English Cup? They already have a league for their A team development and the arguably higher quality LV for reasonable gates (and already has a sponsor). An English Cup would inevitably mean thay would be playing against some Championship sides at the expense of Welsh Regions or other AP sides - which would attract more punters? Add to that the pressure on resources, since the current B&I fixtures are coincidentally scheduled on European weekends, and it becomes a very hard sell to get AP clubs involved.

WRT the Irish provinces, the B&I Cup is a useful development competition for young players, but when you consider their travel costs will be considerably higher than those teams based on GB for away games, there is no way any club below provincial level could afford to participate.

[Morgannwg]

I think it may soon be time for us to get Regional A teams. Maybe even see RGC in this competition aswell.

The Premiership stays put for the clubs and for development of players. For this cup they'll be filtered into their A teams and also act as feeders for the Regional first teams. Probably similar to what Ireland have now. This way we're constantly developing players but we are putting them in correct playing field depending on their abilities. As much as I like the clubs exposure and our next generation of players getting exposure to playing professional opposition ATM it really isn't a level playing field. Particulary now that the RFU have made the championship fully professional.

[Guest]

Interesting to see Gezzy Price playing 12 tomorrow for the Keys v Newport. Wish I could go up for that. I'm trying to negotiate terms with the wife, why she should let me go on my anniversary

[Geordie]

Connacht 3 - Newcastle 34...

Canny...including a penalty try from a scrum...we havent seen that from a Falcons pack for a long time...

[LeinsterFan4life]

leinster A lost 25-23 to pontypridd. dissapointed with that.

[Driver]

Think we can expect to compete right through this , Richards and Russell have built some squad.

[Morgannwg]

It's no surprise, Falcons are a seasoned Aviva Premiership team. This and the championship would be a walk for them. Richards will ensure they go back up and good on them. The other thing you need to do is get some investment to stop other teams nicking your players. The academy is strong and always seems to churn out some good backline players.

[LondonTiger]

Bedford 87 - Stirling County 10
Dundee HSFP 6 - Cornish Pirates 32
Llanelli 38 - gala 28

Not a good day for the Scottish clubs.

[Geordie]

It's no surprise, Falcons are a seasoned Aviva Premiership team. This and the championship would be a walk for them. Richards will ensure they go back up and good on them. The other thing you need to do is get some investment to stop other teams nicking your players. The academy is strong and always seems to churn out some good backline players.

Morgan

I think just having Deano and his team there will keep players...plus our chairman has money now.

We're producing some forwards now as well as backs.

[Morgannwg]

Bedford 87 - Stirling County 10
Dundee HSFP 6 - Cornish Pirates 32
Llanelli 38 - gala 28

Not a good day for the Scottish clubs.

They did well last weekend.

87-10? What the hell happened there.

[MrsP]

Anyone got any idea why the beeb have only got 6 pools on their page?

[profitius]

It's no surprise, Falcons are a seasoned Aviva Premiership team. This and the championship would be a walk for them. Richards will ensure they go back up and good on them. The other thing you need to do is get some investment to stop other teams nicking your players. The academy is strong and always seems to churn out some good backline players.

On paper Munster have a good A team that can beat Newcastle. I can see why Newcastle are favourites though. Dean Richards is the right man for the job and Newcastle is the right club for Dean Richards too. Low profile at the moment and will help build up his reputation.

[Morgannwg]

Does anyone have results for:
Nottingham v Doncaster (19:45 BST)
Munster A v Aberavon (13:00 BST)
Rotherham v Plymouth Albion (15:00 BST)

BBC page didn't have them. I've been quite slow updating this week. Had a knee op and also have quite a bit of uni work. Few exams in November too, which unforuntely clashes with the release of Halo 4 and Black Ops 2.

[HammerofThunor]

Rotherham (59) v Plymouth Albion (26) (15:00 BST) - 20/10/2012

[HammerofThunor]

Nottingham (13) v Doncaster (27) (19:45 BST) - 19/10/2012

[HammerofThunor]

From Rotherham and Nottingham websites, respectively

[HammerofThunor]

Munster A (19) v Aberavon (11) (13:00 BST)

From Munster's website

[Morgannwg]

Post them all in one comment next time.

[HERSH]

Or what?

[Rava]

Or what?

He might drop his bad knee onto the back of your head

[HERSH]

I just don't get why

[HERSH]

He was getting mad

[HERSH]

About that?

[HERSH]

Strange?

[Rava]

I didn't think he was mad!

[Rava]

Should we call him Mad Morg?

[HammerofThunor]

Post them all in one comment next time.

Nah. I just won't bother

[LeinsterFan4life]

Anyone got the results for this weekend?

[Driver]

Falcons turned Newport over 26-3.

[Morgannwg]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/results/8369009.stm

[LeinsterFan4life]

Falcons turned Newport over 26-3.

Falcons must be favourite for this cup. They look unstopable atm. Would love to see a Leinster A v Newcastle final.

[Morgannwg]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/results/8369009.stm

Here are some more results. Anyone know how the groups stand right now?

[Jenifer McLadyboy]

http://www.irishrugby.ie/provincial/tables/british_and_irish_cup.php

Lot of final round games postponed because of bad weather.

http://www.irishrugby.ie/rugby/british_and_irish_cup.php

[Morgannwg]

I see. Llanelli, Llandovery and Pontypridd aren't doing too badly I suppose.

[LeinsterFan4life]

I see. Llanelli, Llandovery and Pontypridd aren't doing too badly I suppose.

Pontypridd gave us a tough time in the group. Even the home game we had problems and the scoreboard flattered us a bit.

[Morgannwg]

Yeah that's an improvement on last year for Ponty. Were Leeds any good?

[LeinsterFan4life]

Think they finished last in the group but they drew 30-30 against us there on Saturday. A game they probably should have won.

[The Saint]

The British and Irish Cup is back up n running. Any news for your teams?

Also, I should remind you that there's been a slight restructure. The Welsh now enter only 4 teams and each Region concentrates resources into just that particular team for this competition. Llanelli from Scarlets, Aberavon from Ospreys, Pontypridd from Blues and Cross Keys from Dragons. This way, fringe players, U20's and recent U20 graduates can be exposed to a higher level of rugby more regularly.

[Shifty]

I just came back from the Aberavon Vs Bristol game, in the 71st minute Afan scored a try to make it 20-24, and looked like staging a come back.

When at the half way line the pitch partically collapsed.

They put Jack Jones into the hole to see the size on it and from the stand he appeared to be waist deep.

They brought a wheelie bin of dirt on but it all vanished down the hole. eventually after 10 minutes they called the game off.
It's a shame really it was a fantastic game of rugby, there were half a grand stand full of fans there from Bristol there and they were having a great time.
During the pitch problem all the Afan fans started singing bread of heavan which the bristol fans joined in, and sang with us, then afterwards they started singing sweet chariot and we all booed. They booed us back and eventually everyone started singing the theme from the Great Escape film.

I swear there must of been 40 Aberavon commitee men in suits running around the hole and panicing. It's a shame though it was a fantastic game.

I also had Andy Robinson stand next to me though I didn't say anything to him.

I have no idea why the Ospreys signed Aisea Natoga though, I have never before seen a more inept tackling performance from a full back, but he was amazing with ball in hand. He really needs to grow a set of balls and commit to tackles though, he seems only to pleased to show the outside and let them score as long as he can avoid making a tackle.

[Guest]

Crazy about the hole. Twitter said a six foot hole, which is clearly an exaggeration.

[Rugby Fan]

Report on that hole:

http://www.espnscrum.com/england/rugby/story/203087.html

[Shifty]

Well Jack Jones is 6'5" and when he was in the hole it appeared the level of the pitch was just below his breast bone so it may not be so off.

[Hound of Harrow]

I was at Ealing v Cross Keys yesterday. Keys' pack dominated the first half and drove over for three tries. Ealing came back in the second half and got two well worked tries.

5-19 at ht, and 15-24 at the end. A really enjoyable game.

[Mickado]

Leinster A beat Mosely 22-24 with a late try from Darragh Fanning.

[The Saint]

I know Bristol are now the galacticos of this division but I expected a better score from them (same with Llanelli) now that they've been given all the best players from within the Region. Good to see some promising U20's getting regular game time though.

And Keys, what happened to Cornock, et al in the front row? They were promising guys who possibly had more potential than Coundley, Buck and Gus.

[The Saint]

Results, fixtures, etc: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/british-irish-cup/results

Also, Aberavon vs Bristol will be replayed.

[doctor_grey]

Also, Aberavon vs Bristol will be replayed.

Jeez, what a bunch of sissies.  The hole was only 6 feet deep.  Stick an extra prop in it and keep going............

[Guest]

As I said, in our league (Pontypool, Newport and District so a bit of a big deal) a result stands when the game goes past 60 minutes, so I am surprised this is being replayed a little.

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