B&I Cup 2014/5 - Round 6

A generally disappointing B&I campaign comes to an end this Saturday when Albion travel to Dublin's fair city. If the fates are with them, they should get to play at Donnybrook (KO, 14.30) and not have to worry too much about floodlight failure. With results certainly against them, there is at least the consolation of being allowed to introduce players back from injury and develop tactically before the league restarts over the festive period. The home fixture in October produced an LBP, so a last gasp W is not out of reach.

The final fixture of Pool 5 is pretty much a formality - Leinster have enough in the bank already to progress to the QFs. But a second loss might deny them the comfort of a home draw. Their first XV host Harlequins in the ERC later that evening at the Aviva, so they do have options regarding player availablility. A win for our boys would do wonders for morale before a fortnight's break prior to the local derby at Brickfields on 27 Dec.

The Quins v Jersey game is a largely a dead rubber; there are too many other better performing clubs in the running for the 3 seond place qualifiers. "Scarlets-loading" at least shows that the Welsh regions are taking more of an interest in the competition, even if they seem hell bent on putting local club noses out of joint along the way. I don't think many would object to a Scarlets/Blues/Dragons/Ospreys Academy format from the start in next year's competition - provided it's from the off. Maybe it would encourage the Scots to renew their input as well. (Suitably supported, of course - no more Gael Force damp squibs, thanks...)

Barring any further setbacks on the injury front, there will at least be further choice open to Shanners on the player front - Herbie Stupple (Cornish by birth) will certainly be looking to start against the Pirates, Jake Henry and Ben Foley are back from participating in the Dubai 7s and Brett Beukeboom should have shaken off his injury. The ongoing worry is the lack of cover at 2 with Ted Stagg still crock and T C-D definitely off the chart until the Bristol game. The Leinster game is a great chance for us to get all the ducks in a row before the challenges of the C'ship return. 

Here is the complete fixture list:

Sat 13 Dec

Camarthen v Jersey   14:00   Church Bank, Llandovery (P5)

Doncaster Knights v Cross Keys   14:00   Castle Park (P4)

London Scottish v Pontypridd   14:00   Richmond Athletic Ground (P1)

Rotherham Titans v Yorkshire Carnegie   14:00   Clifton Lane (P2)

Connacht Eagles v Bristol Rugby   14:30   Galway Sportsgrounds, Galway (P1)

Leinster A v Plymouth Albion   14:30   Donnybrook (P5)

Ulster Ravens v Aberavon   14:30   Harlequins RFC (P2)

Bedford Blues v Cornish Pirates   15:00   Goldington Road (P4)

Moseley v Munster A   15:00   Billesley Common (P3)

Worcester v Nottingham   15:00   Sixways Stadium (P3)