Clubs are up for cross-border cup

WHILE Heineken Cup action is destined to dominate the rugby headlines this weekend, it is worth noting that the second incarnation of the British and Irish Cup (which is designed to give valuable cross-border experience to teams operating at the level below the top flight in their respective countries) is also getting under way.

Four matches originally scheduled for the last weekend in February have been shifted forward by three and a half months so as to avoid a clash with the RBS Six Nations. It is an unorthodox move which helps demonstrate the deep-seated desire of those participating in this competition to make it work, despite the many obstacles posed by issues such as fixture congestion and player availability.

Munster's back-up squad took on Llanelli last night, while Swansea and Llandovery host Ulster and Pontypridd respectively this afternoon, before Newport clash with Leinster's second-string tomorrow. Scotland's representatives in this competition will not kick-off their campaigns until 11 December - when Currie host Cornish Pirates, Melrose welcome Munster to the Greenyards and Ayr travel down to Pontypridd - but those involved are already excited about the prospect of testing themselves outside the Scottish rugby bubble.

"The guys at Heriot's and Ayr have told us how much they enjoyed it last year and how much it brought their game on," said Currie coach Ally Donaldson. "To be honest, we haven't allowed ourselves to put a lot of thought into it yet as a team because it is still quite a way off and we're focused on getting our league form sorted out, but it is on the horizon and it is very exciting, especially with the draw we've got against the likes of Worcester Warriors, Cornish Pirates and Leinster.

"I think the competition was a success last year and I think the other teams will be taking it a bit more seriously this time.

"There is something on the Leinster website already about how seriously they are taking it, so I think the standard of the competition will be even higher this year."

For years, Premier rugby seemed to be floating aimlessly in a twilight zone somewhere between professional and social sport but the advent of the British and Irish Cup, as well as the introduction of a mid-season split seem to have pushed this level of the game forward. "The standard of Premier One is definitely higher this year,' said Donaldson. "If you look at Hawks and Dundee, they have really improved during the last two seasons, and their stated aim is to get in the British and Irish Cup. Obviously Ayr, Heriot's Melrose and ourselves are in that mix as well. Boroughmuir have also said that they are looking to the top three.

"And there are no easy fixtures now," he added."We're playing Stirling and Hawick away the next two weeks, the teams that are eighth and ninth at the moment, so those are the last two places you would want to go at this stage of the season. If it wasn't for the split, these teams would be in a mid-table position, not going to get relegated or promoted, and with not much to play for. There is no room for complacency now."