Published: Tuesday, 6th July, 2010 12:54pm

Melrose prepare for Munster mash

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Scott Wight.

BORDER teams entering the British & Irish Cup gathered at Housestead's Fort on Hadrian's Wall as the pools and fixtures were announced for the annual cross-border competition which pits the clubs against English Championship and back-up Magners League sides.

Premier 1 champions Currie will make their cup debut at home against holders Cornish Pirates while Melrose will open their account against last season's runners-up, Munster, at the Greenyards.

Currie will then host Newport and Worcester Warriors (following their relegation from the Guinness Premiership) before travelling to face Leinster and Plymouth Albion to complete Pool A.

Currie captain Andy Adam, said: "The whole club's looking forward to it. Last season we focused on making the top three to qualify and watched Ayr and Heriot's to see how they fared against what everyone presumed would be stronger opposition but I think that Ayr especially gave a really good account of themselves.

"Just like Premier 1, the British & Irish Cup has no easy games. It doesn't matter if it's the champions. Of course it'll be a tough game but let's hope we get a good crowd behind us and play well.

"Big games get the crowds out and certainly the British & Irish Cup offers just that."

After Munster, Melrose will welcome fellow newcomers Esher (following their promotion to the RFU Championship), before travelling to face Llanelli and Nottingham Rugby and finishing Pool B at home against Bristol.

Melrose captain Scott Wight said: "We're well aware of how big a team Munster is so it'll be a massive task.

"The players are really looking forward to it; it's a step up and we'll have to raise our game. Hopefully, from a Borders point of view, supporters will come from across the region to cheer us on and see what they could be facing if they happen to finish in the top three of Premier 1."

In Pool D Scottish Cup holders Ayr make a return to British & Irish action to reignite rivalries established in last season's competition.

The Millbrae men begin with a double helping of Welsh rugby, with an away trip to Pontypridd and a home tie against newcomers Llandovery. They then travel to face Birmingham & Solihull and Rotherham Titans before hosting last season's semi-finalists, Doncaster Knights, in the final match of the pool.

Ayr number 8, Glen Tippett, said: "I think last season there were a few doubts about how Scottish sides would perform in this competition considering the level of the opponents we're facing but the players did really well, particularly in the win over Birmingham.

"There was a big buzz at the club last season, after that first Doncaster game and the home win people really started to believe in us and we convinced a lot of people that Scottish club sides can compete in this tournament.

"I think Scottish domestic club rugby is in a good place at the moment, our Club International team regularly performs well and hopefully Currie and Melrose will do well here, too.

"One of the great things about the cup is the support you get from fellow clubs in the local area. Last season clubs in the west of Scotland came down by the bus load to bolster the crowd which was great - 1500 people under floodlights on a Friday night was just fantastic."

The competition will have five rounds, as last season, however an additional quarter-final stage has been added, with the top two from each pool progressing to the last eight.

Following the success of the inaugural competition, and a shared vision to improve the performance and intensity of Scotland's club game, a groundbreaking league and cup restructure was tabled in partnership by Scottish Rugby and the forums of Premier 1, 2 and 3, and passed by all Scotland's clubs at the 2010 SRU AGM.

Scottish Rugby head of community rugby, Colin Thomson said: "The inaugural British & Irish Cup was very positively received and gave players, coaches, referees and spectators a different level of competition to what they are used to and can only be of benefit to Scottish rugby.

"The new league structure, combined with the continuation and extension of the British & Irish cup means that Scotland's top club players will now play in a more intense environment where they'll be challenged week in week out as we work together to raise the standard of Scottish club rugby and bring it closer to the professional game, while retaining the clubs' community identity."