POWERGEN CUP FIXTURES ANNOUNCED
The Scarlets kick-off their three match Pool campaign with a trip to Powergen Cup holders Leeds Tykes in Round 1 when they will come face-to-face with the coaching talents of one of their most famous former sons, Phil Davies. After that, the Scarlets will host Jonny Wilkinson’s Newcastle Falcons side and European Challenge Cup holders Sale Sharks at Stradey Park as they complete Pool C.
The Dragons, meanwhile, have the plum home draw in Round 1 against Leicester Tigers and their eight British Lions. They will also meet Worcester Warriors and Northampton Saints in their Pool, entertaining the Warriors at Rodney Parade in the third round.
The reigning Celtic League Champions, the Ospreys, will have the shortest distance to travel of all the Welsh regions after joining the west country contingent of Bath, Gloucester and Bristol Shoguns in Pool A. They start away to Gloucester, host Bath at their new home at Morfa, and finish with a trip to Bristol where they will meet up with former player Gareth Llewellyn.
The Blues are pooled with the reigning English champions, London Wasps, London Irish and Saracens in Pool B. They kick-off at home by entertaining the Saracens and will no doubt call on new backs coach Rob Howley’s intimate knowledge of the Wasps for their trip to the Causeway Stadium in Round 2.
The four Pool winners in the new competition will move forward into the semi-finals in the new year.
POWERGEN CUP
Pool A: Bath Rugby, Ospreys, Gloucester, Bristol Shoguns
Pool B: London Irish, London Wasps, Blues, Saracens
Pool C: Leeds Tykes, Newcastle Falcons, Scarlets, Sale Sharks
Pool D: Dragons, Leicester Tigers, Worcester Warriors, Northampton Saints
FIXTURES 2005-2006
Round 1
September 30 & October 1/2
Bath Rugby v Bristol
Gloucester v Ospreys
London Irish v London Wasps
Blues v Saracens
Leeds Tykes v Scarlets
Newcastle Falcons v Sale Sharks
Dragons v Leicester Tigers
Worcester Warriors v Northampton Saints
Round 2
(October 7/8/9)
Ospreys v Bath Rugby
Bristol v Gloucester
Saracens v London Irish
London Wasps v Blues
Sale Sharks v Leeds Tykes
Scarlets v Newcastle Falcons
Northampton Saints v Dragons
Leicester Tigers v Worcester Warriors
Round 3
(December 1/2/3)
Bath Rugby v Gloucester
Bristol v Ospreys
London Irish v Blues
London Wasps v Saracens
Leeds Tykes v Newcastle Falcons
Scarlets v Sale Sharks
Dragons v Worcester Warriors
Leicester Tigers v Northampton Saints
Semi Final
(March 4/5)
Powergen Cup Final
(April 8/9)
