The 2013-14 British & Irish Cup fixtures were unveiled
at short notice today, following confirmation of the Greene King
IPA Championship season on Tuesday (June 25).
Jersey will play in pool 6 alongside Championship rivals
Cornish Pirates, Scottish side
Ayr and Belfast-based Ulster
Ravens (the province's 'A' team) from Ireland.
The cross-border competition will kick off with a head-to-head
between Exiles London Welsh and London Scottish, marking the
former's return to the competition following a year in the
Premiership. Current cup holders Leinster A, who secured victory
over Championship winners Newcastle Falcons in a thrilling affair
at Kingston Park, begin their title defence against newcomers
Ealing Trailfinders. The west London club will make their debut in
the competition, having been promoted from SSE National League 1 to
the second tier in May.
Bristol Rugby, 2011 British & Irish Cup winners, will
kick-off their cup campaign by welcoming fellow Greene King IPA
Championship club Leeds Carnegie to The Memorial Stadium, while
inaugural winners of the trophy, Cornish Pirates, will host Ulster
Ravens in Penzance. Munster A, who are seeded top in Pool 4, will
also start their British & Irish Cup with a home game, hosting
Stirling County from the RBS Premier Division.
As revealed in April, the British & Irish Cup has been
revised for the 2013-14 season, moving from 32 teams to 24, playing
in six pools of four.
Four Principality Premiership teams will now represent Wales in
the competition, joining the 12 clubs of the Green King IPA
Championship as well as four from each of Ireland and Scotland.
Selection of the Welsh teams will be based on regional play-offs at
the start of next season, with final positions in this season's
Principality Premiership giving teams home field advantage.
Full details of the fixtures and structure can be found HERE
Jersey's games:
Round 1 (weekend of Oct 12): Ayr (H)
Round 2 (w/e Oct 19): Ulster (A)
Round 3 (w/e Dec 7): Pirates (A)
Round 4 (w/e Dec 14): Pirates (H)
Round 5 (w/e Jan 11): Ulster (H)
Round 6 (w/e Jan 18): Ayr (A)
