B&I Cup Pool Stages Confirmed

Thursday, July 16th 2015

Bristol will face Bedford Blues, Ulster Ravens and Scarlets Premiership Select in Pool Two of the 2015/16 B&I Cup.

Andy Robinson's men open the cup campaign in Belfast versus Ulster on November 13/14/15, before hosting Scarlets Premiership Select at Ashton Gate on Sunday, November 22 (3pm KO).

Following a wide-ranging review of competition structures across the game in Wales, Welsh teams in the competition will be represented by combined Regional Premiership squad teams.

Ospreys Premiership Select, Newport Gwent Dragons Premiership Select, Cardiff Blues Premiership Select and Scarlets Premiership Select will compete in the 2015/16 season to help facilitate the development pathway structure for Welsh rugby.

2015-16 British & Irish Cup structure:

Teams

* 12 Greene King IPA Championship clubs
* 4 Welsh Regional Premiership squads
* 4 Irish provinces – Connacht Eagles, Munster 'A', Leinster 'A' and Ulster Ravens

Pool Stages

*Taking place on 13-15, 20-22 November, 11-13, 18-20 December and 15-17, 23 January.
* 5 pools of 4 playing home and away
* 4 points for a win, 2 for a draw, 1 bonus point for a) scoring 4 or more tries and/or b) losing by 7 points or less

Quarter finals

* Taking place on weekend of March 12 2016
* Top side in each pool progress to knockout stage, plus three best runners-up
* 8 quarter-finalists ranked with teams ranked 1-4 having home advantage

Semi-finals and final

* Four winning quarter finalists progress to semi -final draw which takes place on weekend of March 19 2016
* Winning semi-finalists progress to final to take place on weekend of April 9 2016

Round 1- November 13/14/15
Ulster Ravens v Bristol Rugby

Round 2- November 20/21/22
Bristol Rugby v Scarlets Premiership Select

Round 3- December 11/12/13
Bristol Rugby v Bedford Blues

Round 4- December 18/19/20
Bedford Blues v Bristol Rugby

Round 5- January 15/16/17
Scarlets Premiership Select v Bristol Rugby

Round 6- January 22
Bristol Rugby v Ulster Ravens