Last year’s Welsh semi-finalists, Newport-Gwent Dragons, open their LV= Cup campaign with a home clash against Bath on the weekend of October 15.
Dragons head coach Darren Edwards said: “The LV= Cup was a great opportunity for players at the Dragons last season. Getting to the semi-finals gave many of our younger players their first taste of playing rugby at that level and was a great boost for our season.
“We have a tough Pool with away trips to Wasps and the Ospreys but it will be a great start to the campaign to open with a home clash against our closest English neighbours Bath and I’m confident that the boys will meet the challenges head-on.”
Insurance, retirement and investment group LV= has confirmed it will continue its title sponsorship of the competition for a further four years which, in addition to the two previous seasons, will see the company commit to a total of six years as title sponsor.
David Smith, LV= HR and Communications Director said, “We are delighted to continue our title sponsorship of the LV= Cup for a third year as we look to strengthen our commitment in rugby. The tournament provides a unique platform to engage with rugby fans and promote the LV= brand. The last two seasons have produced some fantastic rugby and the tournament is fast establishing itself as a hotbed for young talent. We’re very much looking forward to the forthcoming season and would like to wish all teams the best of luck.”
Sophie Goldschmidt, RFU Chief Commercial Officer added: “We are delighted to confirm that LV= will continue their sponsorship of the competition, committing to a further four years as title sponsor. The renewed partnership between LV=, the RFU, WRU and Premier Rugby Ltd furthers strengthens the development of the competition and we are confident that will continue over the next four years.
“We will be working closely with LV=, Premier Rugby Ltd and the WRU to further raise the profile of the competition and look forward to another successful season both on the field and off.”
2011/12 LV= Cup Pools and Fixtures
Pool 1
Saracens
Bath Rugby
London Wasps
Ospreys
Pool 2
Leicester Tigers
London Irish
Sale Sharks
Cardiff Blues
Pool 3
Gloucester RugbyHarlequins
Newcastle Falcons
Scarlets
Pool 4
Northampton SaintsExeter Chiefs
Worcester Warriors
Dragons
Round 1 – 14/15/16 October
Northampton Saints v SaracensWorcester Warriors v London Wasps
Dragons v Bath Rugby
Exeter Chiefs v Ospreys
Newcastle Falcons v Cardiff Blues
Harlequins v London Irish
Gloucester Rugby v Sale Sharks
Scarlets v Leicester Tigers(SaturdayOctober15Sky SportsHD, KO 1800)
Round 2 – 21/22/23 October
Saracens v Exeter ChiefsLondon Wasps v Dragons
Bath Rugby v Worcester Warriors
Ospreys v Northampton Saints(Saturday October 22, Sky SportsHD,KO1800)
London Irish v Newcastle Falcons
Sale Sharks v Harlequins
Leicester Tigers v Gloucester Rugby
Cardiff Blues v Scarlets
Round 3 – 27/28/29 January
Ospreys v DragonsLondon Wasps v Exeter Chiefs
Saracens v Worcester Warriors
Bath Rugby v Northampton Saints
Newcastle Falcons v Sale Sharks
Harlequins v Leicester Tigers
Scarlets v London Irish
Gloucester Rugby v Cardiff Blues
Round 4 – 3/4/5 February
Exeter Chiefs v Bath RugbyWorcester Warriors v Ospreys
Northampton Saints v London Wasps
Dragons v Saracens
Cardiff Blues v Harlequins
Leicester Tigers v Newcastle Falcons
London Irish v Gloucester Rugby
Sale Sharks v Scarlets
Semi finals (9/10/11 March, venue TBC)
Final (16/17/18 March, venue TBC)
