Its Pirates or Bristol For Costello?

The British and Irish Cup quarter final stages became a little clearer following two games last weekend that produced emphatic victories for Bedford Blues and Newcastle Falcons.

Bedford Blues scored a 10 try 64 zip win at home to Welsh side Bedwas while Newcastle Falcons made the long journey to south Wales worthwhile with a 34-3 win over Cross Keys at Pandy Park.

Those results mean Bedford will be top seed and will face Llanelli at home in the quarter final with, as things stand, Falcons home to Llandovery.

And as things now, with Llandovery’s final pool game away to Nottingham on Sunday February 24th, Munster would be away to Cornish Pirates the side that defeated them in the inaugural final and again last year in the opening round in Clonmel.

Llandovery only need a point from the trip to Meadow Lane to see them into the last eight whilst Nottingham need a miracle match type outcome, score a bonus point win, with a winning margin of 19+ and deny the Welsh that losing bonus.

That’s a scenario that favours the Carmarthenshire club who lie 4^th in the Welsh Principality Championship despite losing 21-11 to Pontypridd at Sardis Road last Friday.

And in that event then it’s off to Cornwall for Ian Costello and his squad the first weekend in April. However, were Llandovery to win in Meadow Lane, Bristol could be their host for the quarter finals.