EDF Energy lights up cup competition

The Scarlets, beaten 26-10 by London Wasps at Twickenham in last season’s Anglo-Welsh Cup final, go on to face tough away challenges at Newcastle Falcons and Sale Sharks in the later stages.

“We are delighted that EDF Energy are today unveiled as the new sponsors of the tournament for the next three years, a clear indication of the high regard in which this elite cross-border competition between the top teams in England and Wales is regarded,” said Steve Lewis, the Welsh Rugby Union Chief Executive.

“It was disappointing that the Scarlets were the only Welsh region to qualify for the then Powergen Cup semi-finals last season and the aim must be for us to at least match England team for team in the last four this time.

“With the European tournaments – the Heineken Cup and European Challenge Cup – the Magners League and the EDF Energy Cup, our regions are each guaranteed a minimum of 29 top quality and prestigious matches, and a possible 34 if they go all the way to both a European and the EDF Energy Cup final.”

While the Scarlets this season have two away fixtures, the Ospreys have clashes with Gloucester Rugby and Bristol Rugby at the Liberty Stadium and just the one trip to the West Country, to meet Bath Rugby in Round 2.

Cardiff Blues also have home advantage twice in the Pool stage, taking on holders London Wasps at the Arms Park on Saturday, 30 September, and then London Irish in Round 3 on 1 December.

But Newport Gwent Dragons have only one home tie – against Northampton Saints in Round 2 on 7 October – sandwiched by on the road matches against Leicester Tigers and Worcester Warriors.
 

THE POOLS

POOL 1: Ospreys, Bath Rugby, Bristol Rugby, Gloucester Rugby
POOL 2: Cardiff Blues, London Irish, London Wasps, Saracens
POOL 3: Llanelli Scarlets, NEC Harlequins, Newcastle Falcons, Sale Sharks
POOL 4: Newport Gwent Dragons, Leicester Tigers, Northampton Saints, Worcester Warriors

THE FIXTURES

ROUND 1   
Friday, 29 September
19.10 Ospreys v Gloucester Rugby – BBC Wales
19.45 Sale Sharks v Newcastle Falcons 
Saturday, 30 September
13.30 Northampton Saints v Worcester Warriors 
14.30 Cardiff Blues v London Wasps – BBC Network
15.00 London Irish v Saracens 
17.30 Leicester Tigers v Newport Gwent Dragons – S4C
Sunday, 1 October
15.00 Bristol Rugby v Bath Rugby 
16.10 Llanelli Scarlets v NEC Harlequins – BBC Wales
    
ROUND 2    
Friday, 6 October
19.40 Newcastle Falcons v Llanelli Scarlets – BBC Wales
Saturday, 7 October
14.30 Bath Rugby v Ospreys – BBC Network
15.00 Gloucester Rugby v Bristol Rugby 
15.00 NEC Harlequins v Sale Sharks 
15.00 Worcester Warriors v Leicester Tigers 
17.30 Newport Gwent Dragons v Northampton Saints – S4C
Sunday, 8 October
15.00 London Wasps v London Irish 
16.10 Saracens v Cardiff Blues – S4C

ROUND 3
Friday, 1 December
19.15 Cardiff Blues v London Irish 
19.30 Ospreys v Bristol Rugby 
19.45 Sale Sharks v Llanelli Scarlets 
20.00 Newcastle Falcons v NEC Harlequins 
Saturday, 2 December
15.00 Gloucester Rugby v Bath Rugby 
15.00 Northampton Saints v Leicester Tigers 
15.00 Worcester Warriors v Newport Gwent Dragons 
Sunday, 3 December
15.00 Saracens v London Wasps 

SEMI-FINALS
Saturday, 24 March, 2007
14.30 SF1 – BBC Network
17.15 SF2 – BBC Network

EDF ENERGY FINAL
Sunday, 15 April
14.30 – BBC Network