Revamped competition adds derby

Bath Rugby have been drawn against Exeter Chiefs, Harlequins and Newcastle Falcons in the inaugural Premiership Rugby Cup. The Blue, Black and Whites are in Pool 1 and will also face Gloucester Rugby on the new “derby weekend” at the beginning of February. Todd Blackadder’s men will start their campaign at home to Quins on Saturday, October 27. They will travel to the Chiefs at Sandy Park on Saturday, November 3, and take on the Falcons at Kingston Park on Friday, November 9. The Cherry and Whites will come to the Rec on the weekend of February 1, 2 or 3. The Premiership Rugby Cup has replaced the Anglo-welsh Cup and most clubs are likely to treat it as a development competition. There are incentives for doing well, however, with total prize money of more than £500,000. Last season, Bath were runnersup to Chiefs in the previous guise of the competition following a 28-11 defeat in the final, which was played at Kingsholm. Rob Baxter, Chiefs’ director of rugby, said: “We play both Bath Rugby and Bristol Bears in the pool stages, which creates two brilliant derbies for us – great for both sets of supporters too. “I’m really looking forward to all four rounds. They are quality fixtures for us and we can use them to develop our players.” Premiership Rugby chief executive, Mark Mccafferty, said: “The cup has been a highly successful competition in recent years in helping develop the best new Premiership and England players, in front of big crowds and TV audiences. “The pathway for young players is now clear linking the U18s league, the Premiership Rugby Shield and now the Premiership Rugby Cup into one strong route towards Gallagher Premiership Rugby, European competitions and Test matches.” The winners of each pool and the best runner-up from among the three pools go through to the semifinals. Seedings and home advantage will be determined by their relative records in the pool stage.