Semi-final one: Worcester Warriors v Leinster A, Friday
13 March, kick-off 7.45pm
Worcester will have to do what no other English side has managed
to do in four years of trying and beat Leinster 'A' if they are to
progress to the final of this year's British & Irish Cup.
The Irish province's second string outfit have won their last 11
matches in the B&I Cup against GKIPA Championship opposition,
and are unbeaten in 17 - a run that stretches back to a 50-15
quarter-final defeat at the hands of Bedford in March 2011.
Worcester became the Blues' next victims in the semi-finals that
year, in what was their only other previous appearance in the
cross-border competition.
Leinster were in the same pool as Jersey this season, winning 26-6
on home soil in Dublin and edging a close contest at St Peter by
21-22. The Irish province are just two wins away from landing a
hat-trick of titles, having won the 2013 and 2014 editions. When
you measure that pedigree against Worcester's home advantage and
club record 23-match winning streak, Friday night's game looks an
extremely tough one to call.
Referee: Craig Evans (WRU)
Semi-final two: Doncaster Knights v Bristol, Saturday 14
March, kick-off 2pm
When Bristol prevailed by 27-12 at Castle Park in the Championship
last month it was the West Country club's eighth win in a row
against the Knights. Bristol were never really troubled that day,
however previous clashes have been much tighter affairs, Bristol
needing late tries from Dwayne Peel and Olly Robinson to save their
blushes against the Knights in the first league encounter at Ashton
Gate back in November.
In reaching the last four, Doncaster have matched their previous
best performance in the B&I Cup: a semi-final loss to eventual
winners Cornish Pirates in the inaugural 2009/10 competition.
This is the fourth time in six attempts that Bristol have made the
knockout stages. The 2011 champions suffered a semi-final loss at
the hands of Leeds Carnegie in last year's competition.
Referee: Andrew Jackson (RFU)
Tie-breakers
The Organising Committee has confirmed that in the event of a
tie at full-time in this weekend's semi-finals, the winner shall be
determined after playing extra time (10 minutes each way).
If the scores remain tied after extra time the Club that has
scored the most tries (including extra time) shall be deemed the
winner and progress to the final. If the number of tries are equal,
the winner will be the Away Club.
The B&I Final
The British & Irish Cup final will take place at the winner
of semi-final two on Friday, April 3 (Good Friday), kick-off
5.10pm. Live on Sky Sports HD.
