Munster ‘A’ will play Bristol Rugby, Esher, Llanelli, Melrose, and Nottingham Rugby in this seasons British and Irish Cup. Last season’s losing finalists will kick of this seasons campaign on December 11th with an away tie in Melrose. Munster ‘A’s first home game, at a venue to be announced will be against Esher on January 22nd after playing their first three games away.
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There will be five rounds as last season but an additional quarter final stage has been added with the top two from each pool progressing to the last eight.
Terry Burwell, British & Irish Cup Director, said: “The inaugural British & Irish Cup was very positively received and gave players, coaches, referees and spectators a different level of competition to what they are used to.
“Anyone who was at the final or saw it on Sky Sports saw the appetite for cross-border cup rugby and I am sure this tournament, just like the Heineken Cup in its early days, will go from strength to strength
“We have kept the same pool framework and reversed last season’s fixtures wherever possible as we promised and we have included a quarter-final so that there is a greater opportunity for more teams to progress to the knockout stages.”
The pools for the 2010/11 B&I Cup are as follows,
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Pool A: Cornish Pirates, Currie, Leinster, Newport, Plymouth Albion, Worcester Warriors
Pool B: Bristol Rugby, Esher, Llanelli, Melrose, Munster, Nottingham Rugby
Pool C: Bedford Blues, London Welsh, Moseley, Neath, Swansea, Ulster
Pool D: Ayr, Birmingham & Solihull, Doncaster Knights, Llandovery, Pontypridd, Rotherham Titans
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