Rugby: McKillop claims draw for new cup is not yet fixed

Published on Wednesday 20 May 2009 09:44

MYSTERY today surrounded the impending draw for the new British and Irish rugby cup to be introduced next season.

According to a "draft" fixture list on the website of English national league division one side Cornish Pirates, Heriot's are due to engage with Munster A, Exeter Chiefs, Neath, Plymouth Albion and Camborne-based Pirates.

Also, the Evening News has learned that there could be trips to Munster, Exeter and Pirates for Heriot's when the official version is unveiled later this week.

But Heriot's coach Bob McKillop today claimed the organisers were about to undertake a re-appraisal of the fixture schedule to reduce travelling for Scottish representatives, who also include champions Ayr and a composite side from the national academy and pro teams.

McKillop said: "We are aware of the draft but will be awaiting official confirmation before making any plans.

"The one thing we are definitely hoping is that the idea of kicking off the new competition away to Munster A is correct.

"This might be a case of turkeys voting for Christmas in view of the fact effectively a Munster A side ran the All Blacks close this season (in a match to open new Thomond Park, Limerick). Nevertheless, to be able to expose ourselves to the rugby culture in what is a European hotbed of the game would be a thrill."

Major concerns have been raised over the fact that the Scottish clubs will, in most instances, be tackling opponents who are full-time professionals.

McKillop says that Heriot's may have to adjust pre-season training schedules to include more gym work but still feels the exercise is worthwhile.

"I have always said there are extremely talented players in the club game including our own Dave McCall, Melrose's Scott Wight and Pat McArthur of Ayr. Some are too quick to decry domestic standards.

"There is also a bit of talk that, as a consequence of being in the new Cup, Heriot's and Ayr will dominate the next Premiership season.

"From our point of view there is a huge risk that we could take our eye off the ball domestically.

"We could become too pre-occupied with the new competition that our Premiership form suffers while there are also aspects such as the attritional effects of playing the best of British to take into account."

The current draft indicates Heriot's opening away to Munster A on the weekend of November 21 and completing the pool at Pirates on March 7.

Semi-finals are scheduled for the weekend of April 24 with the final on May 8.

List of qualifiers:

Scotland: Ayr, Heriot's and Edinburgh/Glasgow/National Academy.

England: Bedford, Birmingham & Solihull, Bristol Rugby, Cornish Pirates, Coventry, Doncaster, Exeter Chiefs, London Welsh, Moseley, Nottingham, Plymouth Albion, Rotherham Titans.

Wales: Aberavon, Cardiff, Llanelli, Neath, Newport, Pontypridd.

Ireland: Munster, Leinster and Ulster.