• British and Irish Cup continues this weekend
• Twelve matches are scheduled across the four groups

The new competition continues with a series of pool matches across England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland, starting this evening (Friday).

For extended previews, analysis of Round One and current tables, please view the British and Irish Cup Round Two Preview (PDF 313kB).

POOL A

Leinster v Cornish Pirates

Leinster began their British & Irish Cup campaign with a 16-13 victory at Plymouth Albion on Saturday afternoon.

Cornish Pirates also began with a win, 29-8 at home to Scottish visitors Gael Force at Camborne.  Leinster are unbeaten at Donnybrook since 2005 while the Pirates have lost their last four away games.

Newport v Plymouth Albion

Newport have won six of their last seven games in all competitions including a run of four successive victories, and beat Exeter 21-14 at Rodney Parade in round one.

Curiously, the last three games played by Plymouth Albion have all been won by the away side on the day, with Albion’s most recent away game resulting in a 26-12 victory at London Welsh to end a nine game losing run on the road.

Exeter Chiefs v Gael Force

Exeter Chiefs were handed their first defeat of the season last Friday night in Newport.

The new Scottish team Gael Force suffered a first ever loss last Sunday against Cornish Pirates and now face a second successive long trip to England’s south-west.

POOL B

Munster v Bristol Rugby

Munster began their British & Irish Cup campaign with a bonus point victory at Coventry last Friday night.

Bristol Rugby recorded an 18-11 victory at Neath on Friday. They have lost just one of their last seven matches: 22-26 at Doncaster in the RFU Championship on October 24.

Coventry v Heriot’s

Coventry slipped up 13-20 at home to Munster last Friday, and are in 8th place in the Championship table. Coventry continue to struggle at home, with just one win in their last six games at Butts Park Arena.

Heriot’s have now lost their last four matches including the 0-5 reversal to Nottingham at Goldenacre last Saturday.

Nottingham Rugby v Neath

Nottingham’s 5-0 victory at Heriot’s on Saturday ended a three game losing run. The Green and Whites have won their last four games at Meadow Lane since Cornish Pirates won there, 24-13, in the Championship on September 6.

Neath are in 3rd place in the Principality Premiership table and suffered an 11-18 reversal to Bristol at the Gnoll last Friday.

POOL C

Aberavon v London Welsh

Aberavon have won their last two matches: 17-9 over Cross Keys in the Principality Premiership and 17-9 at Llanelli in the British & Irish Cup. The Wizards have lost just once at the Talbot Athletic Ground in their last nine encounters.

London Welsh also began their British & Irish Cup campaign with a win on the road, beating Moseley at Billesley Common 38-27. The Exiles’ have won their last three away matches since a 9-13 reversal at Exeter in the Championship on October 10.

Moseley v Ulster Ravens

Moseley have slipped to successive defeats and have been beaten in two of their last three matches at Billesley Common.

Ulster Ravens began the British & Irish Cup with a comprehensive 29-3 victory over Bedford Blues. Previously their only other outing this season was on November 6 against Munster A, losing 30-8 at Musgrave Park in Cork.

Bedford Blues v Llanelli

Bedford Blues’ only win in their last five matches in all competitions was 23-7 over Moseley in the Championship. Bedford have played just two previous competitive matches against opponents from Wales – home and away against Newport in 1999/2000 and winning their home game.

Llanelli have now slipped to three straight defeats, but they have won four of their last five matches against English opponents.

POOL D

Pontypridd v Doncaster Knights

Pontypridd are the current leaders of the Principality Premiership but tripped up 16-22 against Cardiff in their opening British & Irish Cup fixture last Friday. Pontypridd are unbeaten in their last 27 matches in all competitions at Sardis Road since Cardiff won there, 23-10, on December 29, 2007.

Doncaster Knights’ only defeat in their last six matches in all competitions was 7-11 at Rotherham in the Championship on November 14.

Ayr v Rotherham Titans

Ayr’s 7-32 reversal at Doncaster on Sunday ended a six game winning run for the Scotsmen. The current Scottish champions have not lost at Millbrae since Boroughmuir were the visitors in the Scottish Hydro Premiership One on January 19, 2008.

Rotherham Titans have won three of their last four games including a 52-10 victory over Birmingham & Solihull in the British & Irish Cup last Saturday.

Birmingham & Solihull Bees v Cardiff

Birmingham & Solihull Bees are still winless this season – a run stretching back to April 25 – following their 10-52 reversal at Rotherham in the British & Irish Cup last Saturday.

Cardiff kicked off their participation in the British & Irish Cup with a 22-16 victory over Pontypridd at the Arms Park on Friday. The Welshmen have won five of their six away matches this season.