Changes Ahead For B&I Cup

The 2014-15 British & Irish Cup structure and fixture dates have been unveiled, however no Scottish team will play in next season’s competition.

Following discussion among all four Unions, four Welsh Premiership teams will join the 12 clubs of the English Championship, as well as the four Irish provincial teams.

Due to changes in the competition dates for the forthcoming season, the Scottish Rugby Union (SRU) has confirmed that Scottish clubs will not participate in the 2014-15 competition. As a result, this season's competition will move from 24 teams to 20, playing in five pools of four, with pool games due to be scheduled at either side of the Autumn International Window.

Colin Thomson, Scottish Rugby's Director of Rugby Operations said:

"This has been a difficult and protracted process and we have done everything in our power to try to influence a solution that would meet the needs of all participants. Regrettably this has not been achieved and the B&I Cup pool dates have been set for two blocks of three fixtures either side of the Autumn International window. Given this, we simply could not support six B&I cup games in the first half of the season as this would have a significant impact on the integrity of our own BT Premiership competition.

"Scottish Rugby will continue to work with its clubs to find suitable cross border opportunities.”

The pool groupings and full fixture list for the 2014-2015 British & Irish Cup will be released in due course.