LV= Cup: Pools, Fixtures & Cheerleaders

LV= Cup holders Harlequins will open their title defence against Exeter in November before back-to-back home games against Sale.

Quins, who beat the Sharks in last season’s final, will then face 2012 cup winners Leicester.

Leicester have a mouth-watering opener against the Ospreys, which will be shown live on Sky Sports on Friday, November 8. Definitely one not to be missed!

The other Anglo-Welsh opener sees Worcester go to Cardiff Blues.

Saracens, who reached the semi-finals, will open up against Wasps and there are three other all-Aviva Premiership clashes with Gloucester facing Northampton, Sale hosting Bath and Newcastle taking on London Irish.

There is one all-Welsh clash on the opening weekend, with Scarlets hosting the Dragons.

RFU professional rugby director Rob Andrew said: “We have seen the LV= Cup develop as a crucial competition for up-and-coming new talent over the past few seasons as evident through players such as Jack Nowell, who was crucial in England U20s’ Junior World Championship triumph.

“I’m sure the competition will again identify some promising young talent this season, and ones that we will undoubtedly see on the international stage in the years to come.”

All that aside… Let’s hope the LV= Cup Cheerleaders return again next year…

And once you’ve stopped looking at the picture… Here are the Pools & Opening Fixtures…

Pool 1:

Saracens, Gloucester, London Irish, Newport Gwent Dragons

Pool 2:

Leicester, Exeter, Sale, Cardiff Blues

Pool 3:

Harlequins, Bath, Worcester, Ospreys

Pool 4:

Northampton, Wasps, Newcastle, Scarlets

Opening fixtures: 8/9/10 November:

Wasps v Saracens, Northampton v Gloucester, Newcastle v London Irish, Scarlets v Newport Gwent Dragons, Exeter v Harlequins, Leicester v Ospreys (Live on Sky), Sale v Bath, Cardiff Blues v Worcester