2009–10 British and Irish Cup

Tournament details
Countries|  England
Ireland
Scotland
Wales
Tournament format(s)| Round-robin and knockout
Date| November 2009 – May 2010
Tournament statistics
Teams| 24
Matches played| 63
Attendance| 103,545 (1,644 per match)
Tries scored| 321 (5.1 per match)
Final
Venue| Recreation Ground, Camborne
Attendance| 4,240
Champions|  Cornish Pirates (1st title)
Runners-up|  Munster A

<- 2008-09 (Previous)

(Next) 2010–11 ->

The 2009–10 British and Irish Cup was the first season of the annual rugby union competition for second tier, semi-professional clubs from Britain and Ireland. First round matches began on Friday 20 November 2009 and the final was held on Sunday 16 May 2010.

The first competition was heavily criticised, with one reporter describing it as 'dismal'.[1]

A total of 24 teams from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales competed in the inaugural competition. Cornish Pirates lifted the cup, defeating Munster A 23–14 in the final.

## Teams

[edit]

The allocation of teams was as follows:

* – 12 teams from the RFU Championship
* – 3 Irish provinces represented by 'A' teams
* – 3 Scottish sides, 2 top clubs from the Scottish Premiership and Gael Force, a side made up of a combination of National Academy players
* – 6 top clubs from the Principality Premiership

England  |  Ireland  |  Scotland  |  Wales

|
|
|

* Bedford Blues
* Birmingham & Solihull
* Bristol
* Cornish Pirates
* Coventry
* Doncaster
* Exeter Chiefs
* London Welsh
* Moseley
* Nottingham
* Plymouth Albion
* Rotherham

* Leinster A
* Munster A
* Ulster Ravens

* Ayr
* Heriot's FP
* Gael Force

* Aberavon
* Cardiff
* Llanelli
* Neath
* Newport
* Pontypridd

## Competition format

[edit]

The teams were divided into four pools of six, playing over five weekends during the Autumn International and Six Nations windows. The four pool winners contested a knock-out stage, with semi-finals on 24 and 25 April and the final on 16 May.[2][3]

## Pool stages

[edit]

### Pool A

[edit]

Team  | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | T | TB | LB | Pts

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Cornish Pirates | 5  | 4  | 0  | 1  | 112  | 66  | +46  | 15  | 2  | 1  | 19
Leinster A | 5  | 4  | 0  | 1  | 89  | 65  | +24  | 9  | 1  | 1  | 18
Newport | 5  | 3  | 1  | 1  | 81  | 54  | +27  | 10  | 1  | 1  | 16
Exeter Chiefs | 5  | 2  | 0  | 3  | 82  | 82  | 0  | 12  | 1  | 1  | 10
Plymouth Albion | 5  | 1  | 1  | 3  | 55  | 58  | −3  | 5  | 0  | 2  | 8
Gael Force | 5  | 0  | 0  | 5  | 35  | 129  | −94  | 6  | 1  | 0  | 1

Updated to match(es) played on unknown. Source: [citation needed]
Rules for classification: 4 points for a win; 2 points for a draw; 1 bonus point for a loss by seven points or less; 1 bonus point for scoring four or more tries in a match

20 November 2009
19:30

Newport | 21 – 14|  Exeter

|
|

| Stats|
Rodney Parade
Attendance: 798

* * *

21 November 2009
16:30

Plymouth Albion | 13 – 16|  Leinster A

|
|

| Stats|
Brickfields Stadium
Attendance: 2,208

* * *

22 November 2009
14:00

Cornish Pirates | 29 – 8|  Gael Force

|
|

| Stats|
Camborne Recreation Ground
Attendance: 2,370

* * *

27 November 2009
16:00

Leinster A | 12 – 10|  Cornish Pirates

|
|

| Stats|
Donnybrook
Attendance: 1,670

* * *

27 November 2009
19:30

Newport | 3 – 3|  Plymouth Albion

|
|

| Stats|
Rodney Parade
Attendance: 593

* * *

28 November 2009
15:00

Exeter | 15 – 0|  Gael Force

|
|

| Stats|
Sandy Park
Attendance: 2,478

* * *

12 February 2010
19:30

Newport | 27 – 5|  Gael Force

|
|

| Stats|
Rodney Parade
Attendance: 705

* * *

13 February 2010
15:00

Exeter | 10 – 22|  Leinster A

|
|

| Stats|
Sandy Park
Attendance: 3,505

* * *

13 February 2010
15:00

Plymouth Albion | 9 – 13|  Cornish Pirates

|
|

| Stats|
Brickfields Stadium
Attendance: 2,413

* * *

26 February 2010
18:00

Leinster A | 6 – 10|  Newport

|
|

| Stats|
Donnybrook
Attendance: 780

* * *

26 February 2010
19:00

Gael Force | 0 – 25|  Plymouth Albion

|
|

| Stats|
Bridgehaugh, Stirling
Attendance: 69

* * *

28 February 2010
14:00

Cornish Pirates | 34 – 17|  Exeter

|
|

| Stats|
Camborne Recreation Ground
Attendance: 2,564

* * *

6 March 2010
15:00

Plymouth Albion | 5 – 26|  Exeter

|
|

| Stats|
Brickfields Stadium
Attendance: 2,766

* * *

7 March 2010
15:00

Cornish Pirates | 26 – 20|  Newport

|
|

| Stats|
Camborne Recreation Ground
Attendance: 3,650

* * *

10 March 2010
19:00

Gael Force | 22 – 33|  Leinster A

|
|

| Stats|
Bridgehaugh, Stirling
Attendance: 300

* * *

### Pool B

[edit]

Team  | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | T | TB | LB | Pts

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Munster A | 5  | 5  | 0  | 0  | 111  | 41  | +70  | 14  | 2  | 0  | 22
Bristol | 5  | 4  | 0  | 1  | 122  | 74  | +48  | 14  | 2  | 0  | 18
Nottingham | 5  | 3  | 0  | 2  | 81  | 59  | +22  | 11  | 1  | 1  | 14
Neath | 5  | 2  | 0  | 3  | 93  | 98  | −5  | 12  | 2  | 1  | 11
Coventry | 5  | 1  | 0  | 4  | 126  | 144  | −18  | 20  | 2  | 2  | 8
Heriot's FP | 5  | 0  | 0  | 5  | 54  | 171  | −117  | 7  | 0  | 1  | 1

Updated to match(es) played on unknown. Source: [citation needed]
Rules for classification: 4 points for a win; 2 points for a draw; 1 bonus point for a loss by seven points or less; 1 bonus point for scoring four or more tries in a match

20 November 2009
19:30

Neath | 11 – 18|  Bristol

|
|

| Stats|
The Gnoll
Attendance: 1,500

* * *

20 November 2009
19:45

Coventry | 13 – 20|  Munster A

|
|

| Stats|
Butts Park Arena
Attendance: 2,066

* * *

21 November 2009
15:00

Heriot's FP | 0 – 5|  Nottingham

|
|

| Stats|
Goldenacre
Attendance: 650

* * *

27 November 2009
19:30

Munster A | 18 – 6|  Bristol

|
|

| Stats|
Nenagh RFC
Attendance: 1,200

* * *

27 November 2009
19:45

Coventry | 57 – 12|  Heriot's FP

|
|

| Stats|
Butts Park Arena
Attendance: 806

* * *

29 November 2009
15:00

Nottingham | 14 – 3|  Neath

|
|

| Stats|
Meadow Lane
Attendance: 2,087

* * *

12 February 2010
19:00

Munster A | 18 – 3|  Nottingham

|
|

| Stats|
Waterford RSC
Attendance: 3,500

* * *

13 February 2010
14:00

Bristol | 40 – 15|  Coventry

|
|

| Stats|
Memorial Stadium
Attendance: 2,461

* * *

14 February 2010
14:00

Heriot's FP | 21 – 38|  Neath

|
|

| Stats|
Goldenacre
Attendance: 500

* * *

27 February 2010
14:00

Neath | 12 – 21|  Munster A

|
|

| Stats|
The Gnoll
Attendance: 1,250

* * *

28 February 2010
14:00

Bristol | 37 – 14|  Heriot's FP

|
|

| Stats|
Memorial Stadium
Attendance: 2,521

* * *

28 February 2010
15:00

Nottingham | 43 – 17|  Coventry

|
|

| Stats|
Meadow Lane
Attendance: 1,263

* * *

6 March 2010
14:00

Neath | 29 – 24|  Coventry

|
|

| Stats|
The Gnoll
Attendance: 1,000

* * *

7 March 2010
15:00

Nottingham | 16 – 21|  Bristol

|
|

| Stats|
Meadow Lane
Attendance: 1,046

* * *

12 March 2010
19:30

Munster A | 34 – 7|  Heriot's FP

|
|

| Stats|
Musgrave Park

* * *

### Pool C

[edit]

Team  | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | T | TB | LB | Pts

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Ulster Ravens | 5  | 4  | 1  | 0  | 165  | 62  | +103  | 22  | 3  | 0  | 21
London Welsh | 5  | 4  | 0  | 1  | 137  | 78  | +59  | 18  | 3  | 1  | 20
Bedford Blues | 5  | 3  | 0  | 2  | 92  | 94  | −2  | 11  | 1  | 0  | 13
Aberavon | 5  | 2  | 0  | 3  | 51  | 131  | −80  | 4  | 0  | 1  | 9
Llanelli | 5  | 1  | 1  | 3  | 106  | 117  | −11  | 11  | 1  | 1  | 8
Moseley | 5  | 0  | 0  | 5  | 69  | 138  | −69  | 10  | 1  | 0  | 1

Updated to match(es) played on unknown. Source: [citation needed]
Rules for classification: 4 points for a win; 2 points for a draw; 1 bonus point for a loss by seven points or less; 1 bonus point for scoring four or more tries in a match

20 November 2009
19:15

Llanelli | 16 – 19|  Aberavon

|
|

| Stats|
Parc y Scarlets
Attendance: 600

* * *

20 November 2009
19:30

Moseley | 27 – 38|  London Welsh

|
|

| Stats|
Billesley Common
Attendance: 563

* * *

20 November 2009
19:30

Ulster Ravens | 29 – 3|  Bedford Blues

|
|

| Stats|
Ravenhill
Attendance: 1,132

* * *

27 November 2009
19:15

Aberavon | 7 – 36|  London Welsh

|
|

| Stats|
Talbot Athletic Ground
Attendance: 712

* * *

27 November 2009
19:30

Moseley | 21 – 32|  Ulster Ravens

|
|

| Stats|
Billesley Common
Attendance: 750

* * *

28 November 2009
15:00

Bedford Blues | 36 – 24|  Llanelli

|
|

| Stats|
Goldington Road
Attendance: 2,553

* * *

12 February 2010
19:15

Llanelli | 21 – 21|  Ulster Ravens

|
|

| Stats|
Parc y Scarlets
Attendance: 500

* * *

13 February 2010
14:00

London Welsh | 26 – 13|  Bedford Blues

|
|

| Stats|
Old Deer Park
Attendance: 810

* * *

23 February 2010
19:30

Aberavon | 10 – 0|  Moseley

|
|

| Stats|
Talbot Athletic Ground
Attendance: 362

* * *

26 February 2010
19:30

Ulster Ravens | 21 – 17|  London Welsh

|
|

| Stats|
Ravenhill
Attendance: 739

* * *

27 February 2010
14:00

Bedford Blues | 17 – 15|  Aberavon

|
|

| Stats|
Goldington Road
Attendance: 1,230

* * *

27 February 2010
14:30

Llanelli | 35 – 21|  Moseley

|
|

| Stats|
Parc y Scarlets
Attendance: 580

* * *

5 March 2010
19:30

Moseley | 0 – 23|  Bedford Blues

|
|

| Stats|
Billesley Common
Attendance: 520

* * *

6 March 2010
14:00

London Welsh | 20 – 10|  Llanelli

|
|

| Stats|
Old Deer Park
Attendance: 1,650

* * *

12 March 2010
19:30

Ulster Ravens | 62 – 0|  Aberavon

|
|

| Stats|
Ravenhill
Attendance: 793

* * *

### Pool D

[edit]

Team  | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | T | TB | LB | Pts

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Doncaster | 5  | 5  | 0  | 0  | 163  | 58  | +105  | 22  | 5  | 0  | 25
Cardiff | 5  | 4  | 0  | 1  | 147  | 124  | +23  | 20  | 3  | 0  | 19
Rotherham | 5  | 2  | 0  | 3  | 147  | 127  | +20  | 19  | 3  | 1  | 12
Ayr | 5  | 2  | 0  | 3  | 132  | 111  | +21  | 14  | 1  | 2  | 11
Pontypridd | 5  | 2  | 0  | 3  | 99  | 124  | −25  | 12  | 1  | 1  | 10
Birmingham & Solihull | 5  | 0  | 0  | 5  | 76  | 220  | −144  | 9  | 0  | 1  | 1

Updated to match(es) played on unknown. Source: [citation needed]
Rules for classification: 4 points for a win; 2 points for a draw; 1 bonus point for a loss by seven points or less; 1 bonus point for scoring four or more tries in a match

20 November 2009
19:15

Pontypridd | 16 – 22|  Cardiff

|
|

| Stats|
Sardis Road
Attendance: 921

* * *

21 November 2009
14:00

Rotherham | 52 – 10|  Birmingham & Solihull

|
|

| Stats|
Clifton Lane
Attendance: 876

* * *

22 November 2009
14:00

Doncaster | 32 – 7|  Ayr

|
|

| Stats|
Castle Park
Attendance: 1,496

* * *

27 November 2009
20:00

Ayr | 28 – 13|  Rotherham

|
|

| Stats|
Millbrae
Attendance: 1,370

* * *

28 November 2009
14:00

Birmingham & Solihull | 20 – 51|  Cardiff

|
|

| Stats|
Sharmans Cross Road
Attendance: 377

* * *

13 February 2010
14:00

Rotherham | 33 – 23|  Pontypridd

|
|

| Stats|
Clifton Lane
Attendance: 789

* * *

13 February 2010
16:00

Ayr | 49 – 14|  Birmingham & Solihull

|
|

| Stats|
Millbrae
Attendance: 780

* * *

14 February 2010
15:00

Doncaster | 34 – 10|  Cardiff

|
|

| Stats|
Castle Park
Attendance: 1,124

* * *

27 February 2010
14:00

Cardiff | 34 – 27|  Rotherham

|
|

| Stats|
Cardiff Arms Park

* * *

27 February 2010
14:00

Doncaster | 41 – 8|  Birmingham & Solihull

|
|

| Stats|
Castle Park
Attendance: 783

* * *

27 February 2010
15:00

Ayr | 21 – 22|  Pontypridd

|
|

| Stats|
Millbrae
Attendance: 1,290

* * *

3 March 2010
19:30

Pontypridd | 11 – 24|  Doncaster

|
|

| Stats|
Sardis Road

* * *

6 March 2010
14:00

Rotherham | 22 – 32|  Doncaster

|
|

| Stats|
Clifton Lane
Attendance: 1,427

* * *

6 March 2010
14:30

Birmingham & Solihull | 24 – 27|  Pontypridd

|
|

| Stats|
Sharmans Cross Road

* * *

6 March 2010
14:30

Cardiff | 30 – 27|  Ayr

|
|

| Stats|
Cardiff Arms Park

* * *

## Knock-out stages

[edit]

### Qualifiers

[edit]

The four pool winners proceeded to the knock out stages.

Grp | Team  | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | T | TB | LB | Pts

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

D  |  Doncaster | 5  | 5  | 0  | 0  | 163  | 58  | +105  | 22  | 5  | 0  | 25
B  |  Munster A | 5  | 5  | 0  | 0  | 111  | 41  | +70  | 14  | 2  | 0  | 22
C  |  Ulster Ravens | 5  | 4  | 1  | 0  | 165  | 62  | +103  | 22  | 3  | 0  | 21
A  |  Cornish Pirates | 5  | 4  | 0  | 1  | 112  | 66  | +46  | 15  | 2  | 1  | 19

Source: [citation needed]

| Semi-finals| | Final

|
|
|

|  |  |  |  |  |

|  25 April 2010 - Camborne | |

|  Cornish Pirates |  43

|  16 May 2010 - Camborne

|  Doncaster |  5 |

|  Cornish Pirates |  23

|  24 April 2010 - Thomond Park

| |  Munster A |  14

|  Munster A |  27

|  Ulster Ravens |  3 |

### Semi-finals

[edit]

24 April 2010
15:30

Munster A | 27 – 3|  Ulster Ravens

|
|

Try: J Manning (2), D Williams, S Archer
Con: D Cusack (2/4)
Pen: D Cusack (1)| Report
Stats| Pen: J McKinney (1)
Thomond Park, Limerick
Attendance: 24,112

* * *

25 April 2010
15:00

Cornish Pirates | 43 – 5|  Doncaster

|
|

Try: Davies, Bentley, Morgan, Cattle, Jackson, McGlone
Con: Bently (5/6)
Pen: Bently| Report| Try: Armitage
Recreation Ground, Camborne
Attendance: 2,327
Referee: Llyr Ap Geraint Roberts

* * *

### Final

[edit]

16 May 2010
18:00

Cornish Pirates | 23 – 14|  Munster A

|
|

Try: Winn, McAtee
Con: Bentley (2/2)
Pen: Bentley (3)| Report
Stats| Try: Barnes
Pen: Cusack (3)
Recreation Ground, Camborne
Attendance: 4,240
Referee:  Leighton Hodges

## Geography

[edit]

Bedford

B'ham & Solihull

Bristol

Cornish Pirates

Coventry

Doncaster

Exeter

London Welsh

Moseley

Nottingham

Plymouth

Rotherham

Leinster A

Munster A

Ulster Ravens

Aberavon

Llanelli

Neath

Pontypridd

Cardiff

Newport

Ayr

Gael Force

Heriot's FP

class=notpageimage|

Locations of the 2009-10 British and Irish Cup teams

Team  | Stadium  | Capacity  | City/Area/Country

|
|
|

Aberavon | Talbot Athletic Ground | 3,000  | Aberavon, Neath Port Talbot, Wales
Ayr | Millbrae | Unknown  | Alloway, South Ayrshire, Scotland
Bedford Blues | Goldington Road | 4,684  | Bedford, Bedfordshire, England
Birmingham & Solihull | Sharmans Cross Road | 3,500  | Solihull, West Midlands, England
Bristol | Memorial Stadium | 12,100  | Bristol, England
Cardiff | Cardiff Arms Park | 13,500  | Cardiff, Wales
Cornish Pirates | Recreation Ground | 9,000  | Camborne, Cornwall, England
Coventry | Butts Park Arena | 4,000  | Coventry, West Midlands, England
Doncaster | Castle Park | 3,075  | Doncaster, South Yorkshire, England
Exeter Chiefs | Sandy Park | 7,300 (10,744 by the end of the season)  | Exeter, Devon, England
Gael Force | Bridgehaugh | 4,000  | Stirling, Scotland
Heriot's FP | Goldenacre | Unknown  | Edinburgh, Scotland
Leinster A | Donnybrook | 7,000  | Dublin, Leinster, Ireland
Llanelli | Parc y Scarlets | 14,870  | Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, Wales
London Welsh | Old Deer Park | 5,850  | London, England
Moseley | Billesley Common | 3,000+ (650 seated)  | Birmingham, West Midlands, England
Munster A | Musgrave Park | 8,300  | Cork, County Cork, Ireland
Neath | The Gnoll | 7,500  | Neath, Neath Port Talbot, Wales
Newport | Rodney Parade | 10,500  | Newport, Wales
Nottingham | Meadow Lane | 19,588  | Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England
Plymouth Albion | The Brickfields | 6,500  | Plymouth, Devon, England
Pontypridd | Sardis Road | 7,861  | Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales
Rotherham | Clifton Lane | 2,500  | Rotherham, South Yorkshire, England
Ulster Ravens | Ravenhill Stadium | 12,125  | Belfast, Ulster, Northern Ireland

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Brian Dick (25 February 2010). "Taxing times for clubs struggling in rugby's Championship". Birmingham Post. Archived from the original on 3 November 2010. Retrieved 3 March 2010.
2. ^ "New British & Irish Cup announced". RTÉ Sport. 6 May 2009. Archived from the original on 9 May 2009. Retrieved 7 May 2009.
3. ^ "Home unions devise British & Irish Cup". The Daily Telegraph. 6 May 2009. Retrieved 7 May 2009.

## External links

[edit]

* Unofficial British and Irish Cup website - latest news, teams etc
* Results from the BBC Archived 2011-02-08 at the Wayback Machine

* v
* t
* e

British and Irish Cup

2017–18 Teams|

| English|

* Bedford Blues
* Bristol Bears
* Cornish Pirates
* Doncaster Knights
* Ealing Trailfinders
* Hartpury College
* Jersey Reds
* London Scottish
* Nottingham
* Rotherham Titans
* Richmond
* Yorkshire Carnegie

|

Irish|

* Connacht Eagles
* Leinster A
* Munster A
* Ulster A

Welsh|

* Cardiff Blues PS
* Dragons PS
* Ospreys PS
* Scarlets PS

Former clubs|

| English|

* Birmingham & Solihull 2009–10, 2010–11
* Coventry 2009–10
* Esher 2010–11, 2011–12
* Exeter Chiefs 2009–10
* Newcastle Falcons 2012–13
* Plymouth Albion 2009–10, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15
* Worcester Warriors 2010–11, 2014–15

|

Scottish|

* Ayr 2009–10, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2013–14
* Currie 2010–11, 2011–12
* Dundee HSFP 2012–13
* Edinburgh Academicals 2013–14
* Gael Force 2009–10
* Gala 2012–13, 2013–14
* Heriot's FP 2009–10
* Melrose 2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13
* Stirling County 2012–13, 2013–14

Welsh|

* Aberavon 2009–10, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15
* Bedwas 2012–13
* Bridgend Ravens 2012–13
* Cardiff 2009–10, 2012–13
* Carmarthen Quins 2012–13, 2014–15
* Cross Keys 2011–12, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15
* Llandovery 2010–11, 2012–13
* Llanelli 2009–10, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2013–14
* Neath 2009–10, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13
* Newport 2009–10, 2010–11, 2012–13
* Pontypridd 2009–10, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15
* Swansea 2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13

Seasons|

* 2009–10
* 2010–11
* 2011–12
* 2012–13
* 2013–14
* 2014–15
* 2015–16
* 2016–17
* 2017–18

Winners|

* 2010: Cornish Pirates
* 2011: Bristol
* 2012: Munster A
* 2013: Leinster A
* 2014: Leinster A
* 2015: Worcester Warriors
* 2016: London Welsh
* 2017: Munster A
* 2018: Ealing Trailfinders

*[Pld]: Matches played
*[W]: Matches won
*[D]: Matches drawn
*[L]: Matches lost
*[PF]: Match points for
*[PA]: Match points against
*[PD]: Match points difference
*[T]: Tries scored
*[TB]: Try bonus competition points
*[LB]: Losing bonus competition points
*[Pts]: Total competition points
*[Grp]: Group
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template