British & Irish Cup
Twelve teams from the English Championship, six from the Welsh Principality Premiership, Irish provinces Munster, Leinster and Ulster and three Scottish sides competed for the British & Irish Cup in 2010/11, with Bristol Rugby claiming the title on May 7 at The Memorial Stadium.
Following a turbulent season in the RFU Championship, the West Country side saw off Bedford Blues in a rain soaked Saturday afternoon, winger Anthony Elliott scoring the winning try to give Bristol their first silverware since 2004.
Bristol boss Paul Hull, who departed after a 22-year association with the club following the win, said: “The overwhelming feeling is I’m so happy that we won. It’s been a difficult year but to turn it around in the last few weeks of the season and get some silverware for the players, the board and most importantly the supporters.”
Latest news
The second season of the British & Irish Cup produced some intense competition and next season is expected to be no different, so stay up-to-date with the action in the dedicated news section.
British & Irish Cup structure 2011-12
The 2011-12 season shows a revised structure in the British & Irish Cup, which will now see six pools of four teams play across groups in the same format as the LV= Cup.
- Played over 7 weekends
- Structure to follow LV= Cup format i.e. 6 pools of 4 teams and each team will play the 4 teams of their neighbouring pool giving 4 pool matches (2 home, 2 away)
- Each pool to consist of 2 RFU Championship clubs, 1 Welsh Principality club, 1 Irish province or Scottish club
- All-Championship ties played mid-week
- Quarter-finalists will be 6 pool winners plus 2 best runners-up
- Semi-finals staged over 1 leg
- Final staged over 1 leg
An intense environment
Scottish Rugby's National Academy Manager Stephen Gemmell, added: "Scottish Rugby welcomes the British & Irish Cup. This competition will give some of our best players, including those from our top two clubs in Premiership Division 1, an opportunity to test themselves in an intense environment against quality, battle-hardened opposition from throughout the British Isles. We all believe such a competition will serve as a real boost to our game."
Irish Rugby Football Union Director of Rugby Eddie Wigglesworth said: "From an Irish perspective we welcome the British & Irish Cup which will provide a very competitive professional game structure to meet the needs of our emerging contracted players."
Speaking about the competition, Chris Burns, the Rugby Football Union's Competitions Manager, said: "This is an exciting tournament that provides quality cross-border competition and will be a winner with players, coaches and fans alike.
Welsh Rugby Union Head of Rugby Performance and Development Joe Lydon said: "We are delighted to be fully involved in this exciting competition.
"It engages all our teams in the type of cross-border sporting rivalry which will continue to generate support and help improve the standard of play in all the teams involved."
Visit the participating club websites for the latest ticket and matchday squad information.