2017/18 British & Irish Cup Fixtures Are Announced
The 2017/18 British & Irish Cup fixtures have been announced today, with the pool stages running from October to January.
Reigning British & Irish Cup champions Munster ‘A’ will begin the defence of their title away at Ospreys Select on October 13-15, and are joined by Nottingham and Bedford Blues in Pool 1.
Last season’s beaten finalists Jersey Reds, who lost 29-28 to Peter Malone’s Munster side, feature in Pool 3, along with Dragons Select, London Scottish and Yorkshire Carnegie.
Hartpury RFC, who have been promoted from National League One to the Greene King IPA Championship, will face Cornish Pirates, Scarlets Select and Ulster ‘A’ in Pool 5.
Following their relegation from the Aviva Premiership, Bristol return to the British & Irish Cup and have been drawn with Cardiff Blues Select, Doncaster and two-time winners Leinster ‘A’.
In Pool 4, Connacht Eagles will take on Rotherham Titans, Richmond and Ealing Trailfinders. Fixtures for the pool stages run from October 13-15, 2017 to January 20, 2018.
2017/18 BRITISH & IRISH CUP – POOL DRAW & FIXTURES:
POOL 1: Bedford Blues, MUNSTER ‘A’, Nottingham, Ospreys Select
POOL 2: Bristol, Cardiff Blues Select, Doncaster Knights, LEINSTER ‘A’
POOL 3: Dragons Select, London Scottish, Yorkshire Carnegie, Jersey Reds
POOL 4: CONNACHT EAGLES, Rotherham Titans, Richmond, Ealing Trailfinders
POOL 5: Cornish Pirates, Hartpury, Scarlets Select, ULSTER ‘A’
ROUND 1 – October 13-15, 2017
Nottingham v Bedford Blues
Ospreys Select v Munster ‘A’
Doncaster Knights v Leinster ‘A’
Cardiff Blues Select v Bristol
London Scottish v Dragons Select
Jersey Reds v Yorkshire Carnegie
Rotherham Titans v Connacht Eagles
Ealing Trailfinders v Richmond
Hartpury v Cornish Pirates
Ulster ‘A’ v Scarlets Select
ROUND 2 – October 20-22, 2017
Bedford Blues v Ospreys Select
Munster ‘A’ v Nottingham
Leinster ‘A’ v Cardiff Blues Select
Bristol v Doncaster Knights
Dragons Select v Jersey Reds
Yorkshire Carnegie v London Scottish
Connacht Eagles v Ealing Trailfinders
Richmond v Rotherham Titans
Cornish Pirates v Ulster ‘A’
Scarlets Select v Hartpury
ROUND 3 – December 8-10, 2017
Munster ‘A’ v Bedford Blues
Nottingham v Ospreys Select
Bristol v Leinster ‘A’
Doncaster Knights v Cardiff Blues Select
Yorkshire Carnegie v Dragons Select
London Scottish v Jersey Reds
Richmond v Connacht Eagles
Rotherham Titans v Ealing Trailfinders
Scarlets Select v Cornish Pirates
Hartpury v Ulster ‘A’
ROUND 4 – December 15-17, 2017
Bedford Blues v Munster ‘A’
Ospreys Select v Nottingham
Leinster ‘A’ v Bristol
Cardiff Blues Select v Doncaster Knights
Dragons Select v Yorkshire Carnegie
Jersey Reds v London Scottish
Connacht Eagles v Richmond
Ealing Trailfinders v Rotherham Titans
Cornish Pirates v Scarlets Select
Ulster ‘A’ v Hartpury
ROUND 5 – January 12-14, 2018
Nottingham v Munster ‘A’
Ospreys Select v Bedford Blues
Doncaster Knights v Bristol
Cardiff Blues Select v Leinster ‘A’
London Scottish v Yorkshire Carnegie
Jersey Reds v Dragons Select
Rotherham Titans v Richmond
Ealing Trailfinders v Connacht Eagles
Hartpury v Scarlets Select
Ulster ‘A’ v Cornish Pirates
ROUND 6 – January 20, 2018
Bedford Blues v Nottingham
Munster ‘A’ v Ospreys Select
Leinster ‘A’ v Doncaster Knights
Bristol v Cardiff Blues Select
Dragons Select v London Scottish
Yorkshire Carnegie v Jersey Reds
Connacht Eagles v Rotherham Titans
Richmond v Ealing Trailfinders
Cornish Pirates v Hartpury
Scarlets Select v Ulster ‘A’
– All kick-off times and match dates to be confirmed by the provinces, regions and clubs