Powergen Anglo-Welsh Cup pools and fixtures:
Pool One: Bath Rugby, Ospreys, Gloucester, Bristol Shoguns
Pool Two: London Irish, London Wasps, Cardiff Blues, Saracens
Pool Three: Leeds Tykes, Newcastle Falcons, Llanelli Scarlets, Sale Sharks
Pool Four: Newport-Gwent Dragons, Leicester Tigers, Worcester Warriors, Northampton Saints
Round One: 30 September & 1/2 October
Pool One:
Bath Rugby v Bristol
Gloucester v Ospreys
London Irish v London Wasps
Cardiff Blues v Saracens
Leeds Tykes v Llanelli Scarlets
Newcastle Falcons v Sale Sharks
Newport-Gwent Dragons v Leicester Tigers
Worcester Warriors v Northampton Saints
Round Two: 7-9 October
Ospreys v Bath Rugby
Bristol v Gloucester
Saracens v London Irish
London Wasps v Cardiff Blues
Sale Sharks v Leeds Tykes
Llanelli Scarlets v Newcastle Falcons
Northampton Saints v Newport-Gwent Dragons
Leicester Tigers v Worcester Warriors
Round Three: 1-3 December
Bath Rugby v Gloucester
Bristol v Ospreys
London Irish v Cardiff Blues
London Wasps v Saracens
Leeds Tykes v Newcastle Falcons
Llanelli Scarlets v Sale Sharks
Newport-Gwent Dragons v Worcester Warriors
Leicester Tigers v Northampton Saints
Semi Final: 4/5 March
Powergen Cup Final: 8/9 April
AWC Pools and Fixtures.
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browner
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Anglo-Welsh Cup troubles Ruddock
The WRU fought hard for the Cup - against their coach's wishes
Wales coach Mike Ruddock says he is unhappy with the new Anglo-Welsh Cup as he fears player burn-out.
Wales' regions enter the tournament this year, adding to commitments in the Celtic League, Heineken Cup and a crowded international season.
"I would have liked the regions competing in just Europe and the league for the moment," said Ruddock.
The Welsh Rugby Union fought hard for the Anglo-Welsh Cup, but it has led to calls for more overseas players.
The four regions, who backed the Union's desire to enter the revamped Powergen Cup tournament even when it threatened the future of the Celtic League, fear their stretched resources will affect their competitiveness next season.
We have to have a sense of realism as well as ideally looking to have only Welsh players
Mike Ruddock on overseas players in Wales
It is widely maintained that young Welsh talent is starting to feed through the academies, but the sides are wary of asking too much, too soon, from their developing talent.
"We have to have a sense of realism as well as ideally looking to have only Welsh players," Ruddock told the Wales on Sunday.
The Grand Slam-winning coach has also been troubled by the prospect of his team facing New Zealand on 5 November with just four days' preparation.
"That is clearly not enough time to prepare properly for a Test," said Ruddock.
November's All Blacks Test adds to the fixture congestion
"We want to be playing games like this because there's no doubt we will improve from that level of competition."
The game was shoe-horned into the international calendar to celebrate 100 years of matches between Wales and the All Blacks and to give the Kiwis the opportunity of a Grand Slam tour of Britain and Ireland.
"If you asked the Welsh public if they would like to see their team face the All Blacks with only four days' preparation or not at all, then they would go for the extra game," added Ruddock.
The coach hopes that the regions will support him in resting his players before the New Zealand match, but he will face more of a battle for those playing in England and France.
The regions' aspirations will be further threatened by the fact that a full Celtic League programme is scheduled for the weekend of 5 November.
The WRU fought hard for the Cup - against their coach's wishes
Wales coach Mike Ruddock says he is unhappy with the new Anglo-Welsh Cup as he fears player burn-out.
Wales' regions enter the tournament this year, adding to commitments in the Celtic League, Heineken Cup and a crowded international season.
"I would have liked the regions competing in just Europe and the league for the moment," said Ruddock.
The Welsh Rugby Union fought hard for the Anglo-Welsh Cup, but it has led to calls for more overseas players.
The four regions, who backed the Union's desire to enter the revamped Powergen Cup tournament even when it threatened the future of the Celtic League, fear their stretched resources will affect their competitiveness next season.
We have to have a sense of realism as well as ideally looking to have only Welsh players
Mike Ruddock on overseas players in Wales
It is widely maintained that young Welsh talent is starting to feed through the academies, but the sides are wary of asking too much, too soon, from their developing talent.
"We have to have a sense of realism as well as ideally looking to have only Welsh players," Ruddock told the Wales on Sunday.
The Grand Slam-winning coach has also been troubled by the prospect of his team facing New Zealand on 5 November with just four days' preparation.
"That is clearly not enough time to prepare properly for a Test," said Ruddock.
November's All Blacks Test adds to the fixture congestion
"We want to be playing games like this because there's no doubt we will improve from that level of competition."
The game was shoe-horned into the international calendar to celebrate 100 years of matches between Wales and the All Blacks and to give the Kiwis the opportunity of a Grand Slam tour of Britain and Ireland.
"If you asked the Welsh public if they would like to see their team face the All Blacks with only four days' preparation or not at all, then they would go for the extra game," added Ruddock.
The coach hopes that the regions will support him in resting his players before the New Zealand match, but he will face more of a battle for those playing in England and France.
The regions' aspirations will be further threatened by the fact that a full Celtic League programme is scheduled for the weekend of 5 November.
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browner
- Lord Chancellor
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REGIONAL chiefs last night hit back at Wales coach Mike Ruddock for criticising the new Anglo-Welsh Powergen Cup.
They admitted being staggered at Ruddock's criticism of the potential crowd-pulling tournament with England's leading clubs.
Ruddock, stressing he was voicing a personal opinion, said he would be happier if Wales' four regions did not have to compete in the revamped Powergen Cup.
The Grand Slam-winning coach said the competition would put an unnecessary extra workload on his Six Nations champions.
Ruddock's view will, no doubt, have caused consternation among his Welsh Rugby Union employers, who went out on a limb to tie up the Anglo-Welsh deal which, in the process, temporarily jeopardised the future of the Celtic League.
And Mike Cuddy, joint managing director of Celtic League champions Ospreys, and Scarlets chief executive Stuart Gallacher both expressed surprise at Ruddock's remarks.
"I am a bit taken aback to hear his comments," said Cuddy. "It all seems a bit strange to me. Mike is an employee of the WRU but questions the advent of a tournament they bent over backwards to get off the ground. Don't they talk to each other at the WRU? I just don't understand where he is coming from. The WRU and the regions decided this was the way forward.
"It's what the fans want. It's all about logistics and we at the Ospreys are up against the West Country clubs. It's great for supporters because it's not difficult to get to away games.
"What sides like Gloucester and Bath have over our Celtic friends is a greater fan-base and bigger crowds. We went to Connacht as Celtic champions at the end of last season and were watched by about 400 people. It wasn't inspiring.
"One of our youngsters had played for a local team in Division Three of the Welsh League the week before in front of three times as many people."
Ruddock insisted he was speaking out because he was concerned about player burn-out.
Wales' regions are guaranteed 29 fixtures next season (two more than last term) - 20 in the Celtic League, six in the Heineken Cup and three in the Powergen Cup - with a maximum of 34 if a side reached the final of both knockout tournaments.
Wales play nine Tests - four in the autumn as well as their Six Nations programme - and have an end-of-season tour of Argentina.
Gallacher said he didn't understand why Ruddock was getting worked up over the issue, reminding him the WRU participation agreement signed by the regions restricted players to a maximum 32 games.
"The only way they can go over that is with the permission of the WRU. Effectively, that means Mike," he maintained.
"When you look at next season the regions' Welsh squad players are going to be away for 12 weeks. They aren't going to play that many games for their regions."
Gallacher used the last two seasons to back up his case.
"Dwayne Peel played 14 times for the Scarlets last season as well as 10 internationals. Our other scrum-half, Mike Phillips, played 16 games for the Scarlets, some of them at centre," he said.
"The season before Stephen Jones appeared just 10 times for us. The players who appear the most for the regions are workhorses like John Davies and Vernon Cooper, people who aren't involved internationally.
"So I was quite surprised that Mike has said he doesn't want the Powergen Cup, especially as his bosses do."
The regions are resigned to being without Wales' 12 British Lions for the whole of September, though the Dragons are campaigning for scrum-half Gareth Cooper, who hardly had any game-time in New Zealand, and the Ospreys for lock Brent Cockbain, who was called up with less than a fortnight remaining, to be allowed to play earlier.
The participation agreement states players must have a six-week summer break before undertaking a minimum of six and a maximum of 10 weeks' conditioning programme. The WRU are the final arbiters in any disputes.
Players who went on Wales' tour of North America should be available during the second week of the season.
Gallacher said, "We have all signed the participation agreement and have to abide by it, but there should be a commonsense approach with every case treated on its merits. Going to the United States and Canada wasn't a heavy burden on the players. It wasn't like going to New Zealand, South Africa or Argentina."
They admitted being staggered at Ruddock's criticism of the potential crowd-pulling tournament with England's leading clubs.
Ruddock, stressing he was voicing a personal opinion, said he would be happier if Wales' four regions did not have to compete in the revamped Powergen Cup.
The Grand Slam-winning coach said the competition would put an unnecessary extra workload on his Six Nations champions.
Ruddock's view will, no doubt, have caused consternation among his Welsh Rugby Union employers, who went out on a limb to tie up the Anglo-Welsh deal which, in the process, temporarily jeopardised the future of the Celtic League.
And Mike Cuddy, joint managing director of Celtic League champions Ospreys, and Scarlets chief executive Stuart Gallacher both expressed surprise at Ruddock's remarks.
"I am a bit taken aback to hear his comments," said Cuddy. "It all seems a bit strange to me. Mike is an employee of the WRU but questions the advent of a tournament they bent over backwards to get off the ground. Don't they talk to each other at the WRU? I just don't understand where he is coming from. The WRU and the regions decided this was the way forward.
"It's what the fans want. It's all about logistics and we at the Ospreys are up against the West Country clubs. It's great for supporters because it's not difficult to get to away games.
"What sides like Gloucester and Bath have over our Celtic friends is a greater fan-base and bigger crowds. We went to Connacht as Celtic champions at the end of last season and were watched by about 400 people. It wasn't inspiring.
"One of our youngsters had played for a local team in Division Three of the Welsh League the week before in front of three times as many people."
Ruddock insisted he was speaking out because he was concerned about player burn-out.
Wales' regions are guaranteed 29 fixtures next season (two more than last term) - 20 in the Celtic League, six in the Heineken Cup and three in the Powergen Cup - with a maximum of 34 if a side reached the final of both knockout tournaments.
Wales play nine Tests - four in the autumn as well as their Six Nations programme - and have an end-of-season tour of Argentina.
Gallacher said he didn't understand why Ruddock was getting worked up over the issue, reminding him the WRU participation agreement signed by the regions restricted players to a maximum 32 games.
"The only way they can go over that is with the permission of the WRU. Effectively, that means Mike," he maintained.
"When you look at next season the regions' Welsh squad players are going to be away for 12 weeks. They aren't going to play that many games for their regions."
Gallacher used the last two seasons to back up his case.
"Dwayne Peel played 14 times for the Scarlets last season as well as 10 internationals. Our other scrum-half, Mike Phillips, played 16 games for the Scarlets, some of them at centre," he said.
"The season before Stephen Jones appeared just 10 times for us. The players who appear the most for the regions are workhorses like John Davies and Vernon Cooper, people who aren't involved internationally.
"So I was quite surprised that Mike has said he doesn't want the Powergen Cup, especially as his bosses do."
The regions are resigned to being without Wales' 12 British Lions for the whole of September, though the Dragons are campaigning for scrum-half Gareth Cooper, who hardly had any game-time in New Zealand, and the Ospreys for lock Brent Cockbain, who was called up with less than a fortnight remaining, to be allowed to play earlier.
The participation agreement states players must have a six-week summer break before undertaking a minimum of six and a maximum of 10 weeks' conditioning programme. The WRU are the final arbiters in any disputes.
Players who went on Wales' tour of North America should be available during the second week of the season.
Gallacher said, "We have all signed the participation agreement and have to abide by it, but there should be a commonsense approach with every case treated on its merits. Going to the United States and Canada wasn't a heavy burden on the players. It wasn't like going to New Zealand, South Africa or Argentina."
Dont you just love a bit of fratricide ..... no matter where it comes from especially when they wash the dirty linen in public. I liked the bit about the huge fan base of the Premiership clubs. Twill be interesting to see if they turn up to watch Bath 2nd xv V Llanelli or whatever. I reckon after an early rush of exvitement it may well fizzle out. But from what I am reading it looks like the regions will be without their star players for a significant part of the CL programme. Will they play in the Anglo Welsh. If not there may not be a lot for the fans to turn up for. But only time will tell.
Colin
Colin
It certainly makes entertaining reading. 
I hope the WRU and the Welsh Regions end up with some egg on their faces after being the main movers in the whole CL debacle. Would certainly be very funnly if the much vaunted Anglo-welsh cup turned into a complete damp squib with the ZP/GP sides fielding 2nd XVs and the Welsh regions having to play without most of their internationals due to other commitments.....
I hope the WRU and the Welsh Regions end up with some egg on their faces after being the main movers in the whole CL debacle. Would certainly be very funnly if the much vaunted Anglo-welsh cup turned into a complete damp squib with the ZP/GP sides fielding 2nd XVs and the Welsh regions having to play without most of their internationals due to other commitments.....
Paul.
C'mon Ulsterrrrrrrrr!
C'mon Ulsterrrrrrrrr!
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ding dong2u
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ding dong2u
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Well if you call this sort of internal strife forward thinking then fair enough. They will have a short term financial gain but as Rooster pointed out can you see the Welsh public turning out in force to watch Bath 2nds 
on a Saturday and then having the Welsh club 2nds teams playing mid-week because of the international fixtures What they are gaining from the BBC (who are at the root of all this Powergen nonsense becuase they have no rugby to show except the 6N) could well be lost in outgoings and low crowds in these games 
on a Saturday and then having the Welsh club 2nds teams playing mid-week because of the international fixtures What they are gaining from the BBC (who are at the root of all this Powergen nonsense becuase they have no rugby to show except the 6N) could well be lost in outgoings and low crowds in these games Stand Up for the Ulster Men
RIP Nevin Spence 1990 - 2012
RIP Nevin Spence 1990 - 2012
