The 2009/10 season has seen the birth of the British and Irish Cup with twenty four teams taking their place in the competition this season. The first two rounds have been and gone in the competition with Ulster picking up two valuable wins so far. This is a review of how others have done, and which teams have emerged to be real threats within the competition so far.

Pool A

Teams: Leinster A, Cornish Pirates, Newport, Exeter Chiefs, Plymouth Albion, Gael Force

Results So Far:

Exeter Chiefs 15 – 0 Gael Force – Saturday 28th Nov 2009
Leinster A 12 – 10 Cornish Pirates – Friday 27th Nov 2009
Newport 3 – 3 Plymouth Albion – Friday 27th Nov 2009
Cornish Pirates 29 – 8 Gael Force – Sunday 22nd Nov 2009
Plymouth Albion 13 – 16 Leinster A – Saturday 21st Nov 2009
Newport 21 – 14 Exeter Chiefs – Friday 20th Nov 2009

Leinster A have proved to be the pace setters in this pool with two wins thus far in the competition to date over Cornish Pirates and Plymouth Albion respectively. Newport are also unbeaten with a win over Exeter and a draw in their fixture with Plymouth Albion. The Irish side will be primed for qualification if they can avoid defeat away to Exeter and get some points from the game against Newport at Donnybrook on the 26th February.

Undefeated Teams: Leinster A, Newport

Match to Watch: 26th February – Leinster A v Newport at Donnybrook, Dublin

Pool B

Teams: Munster A, Bristol, Nottingham, Heriot’s, Coventry, Neath

Results so Far:

Nottingham 14 – 3 Neath – Sunday 29th Nov 2009
Coventry 57 – 12 Heriots Rugby Club – Friday 27th Nov 2009
Munster A 18 – 6 Bristol – Friday 27th Nov 2009
Heriots Rugby Club 0 – 5 Nottingham – Saturday 21st Nov 2009
Coventry 13 – 20 Munster A – Friday 20th Nov 2009
Neath 11 – 18 Bristol – Friday 20th Nov 2009

In this group there are two sides with undefeated records currently, Munster A and Nottingham. Munster A have defeated Bristol and Coventry while Nottingham have beaten Welsh side Neath and Scottish side Heriots. This sets up a top of the table clash this Friday at the Waterford Regional Sports Ground with the winner in control of the group.

Undefeated Teams: Munster A, Nottingham

Match to Watch: Friday 12th February – Munster A v Nottingham at Waterford Regional Sports Ground

Pool C

Teams: Ulster Ravens, London Welsh, Aberavon, Llanelli, Moseley, Bedford Blues

Results so Far:

Bedford 36 – 24 Llanelli – Saturday 28th Nov 2009
Aberavon 7 – 36 London Welsh – Friday 27th Nov 2009
Moseley 21 – 32 Ulster Ravens – Friday 27th Nov 2009
Llanelli 16 – 19 Aberavon – Friday 20th Nov 2009
Moseley 27 – 38 London Welsh – Friday 20th Nov 2009
Ulster Ravens 29 – 3 Bedford – Friday 20th Nov 2009

Victories against Bedford Blues and Moseley in the first two rounds leave the Ulster Ravens in a great position coming into round three of the competition. London Welsh are also currently undefeated and their clash on the 26th February at Ravenhill may be the decider of who qualifies from this group. However Llanelli stand in the Ravens way first and it will be crucial to get a result against them in this Friday’s game at Parc y Scarlets.

Unbeaten teams: Ulster Ravens, London Welsh

Match to Watch: Friday February 26th – Ulster Ravens v London Welsh at Ravenhill

Pool D

Teams: Rotherham Titans, Doncaster Knights, Cardiff, Pontypridd, Ayr, Birmingham & Solihull

Results so Far:

Birmingham & Solihull 20 – 51 Cardiff – Saturday 28th Nov 2009
Ayr 28 - 13 Rotherham Titans – Friday 27th Nov 2009
Doncaster Knights 32 – 7 Ayr – Sunday 22nd Nov 2009
Rotherham Titans 52 – 10 Birmingham & Solihull – Saturday 21st Nov 2009
Pontypridd 16 – 22 Cardiff – Friday 20th Nov 2009

The one pool which does not feature an Irish side is currently being led by Cardiff, with the Welsh side also boasting a 100% record. Doncaster have also yet to taste defeat although they have only played one game so far with their game against Pontypridd postponed earlier in the season due to heavy rainfall leaving the Pontypridd unplayable. The match between Doncaster and Cardiff on Valentine’s Day may have a large bearing on the table standings.

Unbeaten teams: Cardiff, Doncaster Knights

Match to Watch: Sunday 14th February – Doncaster Knights v Cardiff at Castle Park

These are the standings so far, and with qualification for the British and Irish Cup semi-finals well within the grasp of the Ulster Ravens, there is all to play for in this weekend’s fixture with Llanelli on Friday night. The following are Ulster Ravens British and Irish Cup fixtures which are due to take place over the coming weeks away from home and at Ravenhill:

Friday 12th February 2010 – Llanelli – Parc y Scarlets
Friday 26th February 2010 – London Welsh - Ravenhill
Friday 12th March 2010 – Aberavon – Ravenhill