EDF Energy Cup - : Thrills and Spills as Cup Action Returns

Thrills and Spills

Thrills and Spills as Cup Action Returns

2 October 2008, 2:23 pm

By Kam Cheung

Thrills and Spills as Cup Action Returns

Back with a bang – the EDF Energy Cup is here again so get ready for some bone-crunching action as the English and Welsh look to get off to a flyer.

But have the English sides got what it takes to fight back after Ospreys triumphed in the competition last season?

With the likes of Shane Williams and James Hook leading the charge - just as they did in Wales’ emphatic Grand Slam victory in the Six Nations, a real tooth-and-nail scrap looks on the cards, with Ospreys already sitting pretty at the top of the Magners League.

First up for Ospreys are Harlequins, in Pool C, who travel to Wales after an uneven start to their Guinness Premiership season. The game at Liberty Park is live on BBC Wales on Sunday, kick off 3.05pm.

As they prepare to kick off their defence of the EDF Energy Cup at the weekend, Ospreys skipper Ryan Jones says the Ospreys have no intention of giving up their crown lightly.

"At the start of any competition the target has to be to win it, particularly when you are defending your title, and we have no intention of just handing over the EDF Energy Cup to another team.

“We've enjoyed a great run in this tournament, losing just once in our last eleven fixtures, and of course, we've had two memorable days out at Twickenham which I know that the fans really enjoyed.

“In this competition, if you lose your first game then it can be very difficult to progress so we realise that we have to get off to a flying start. Harlequins have a strong squad with plenty of experience and familiar names and they've started off the season well so they will be confident coming here, but we don't intend giving up our unbeaten home record.”

He added: "October will be a massive month for us, we've got four cup games in two competitions, three of them at home, and we've got a chance to really show what we are made of. Four wins out of four would put us in a fantastic position before the autumn international break.”

The other Pool C match, Worcester Warriors v London Irish, is also on Sunday and starts at 3pm. Worcester will be looking for only their second win of the season, while London Irish go into the game after bringing Sale’s 100% winning start to the season to an abrupt end, with an impressive 28-6 victory at the Madejski Stadium, on Wednesday night.

The EDF Energy Cup is contested by the 12 Guinness Premiership clubs and the four Welsh Magners League regions.

BBC One will be showing the Pool A clash between Gloucester and London Wasps, which kicks off at 2.30pm on Saturday. All eyes will be on the Wasps’ team-sheet, to see if Danny Cipriani plays his second game in four days, after making a remarkable comeback from injury, six weeks ahead of schedule, in the defeat to Bath.

In the other Pool A tie, Newcastle Falcons have handed a starting debut to former England and Leeds Rhino rugby league wing Danny Williams, as they visit Welsh side Newport Gwent Dragons in the EDF Energy Cup on Friday evening, kick-off 7.05pm.

Speaking ahead of his side's Cup opener, the Falcon’s director of rugby Steve Bates, said: "We have freshened the team up for this game after two physical matches in the space of just four days against Bristol and Gloucester, and we are looking forward to seeing how this group performs.

"Despite a number of changes we still have a big, physical pack and plenty of threat in the backs. We know the Dragons will provide tough opposition, especially down here in Wales, but this team is relishing the challenge."

Three of the top four in the Guinness Premiership are in Pool B. Martin Corry’s Leicester Tigers, beaten finalists last season and champions in 2007, start this year’s EDF Energy Cup campaign at leaders Bath, at 2.15pm on Saturday.

Cardiff Blues, fifth in the Magners League, travel to Sale Sharks, third in the Guinness Premiership. That game is on Saturday at 3pm.

Northampton Saints, back in the competition after promotion last season, will fancy their chances as Bristol Rugby arrive at Franklin’s Gardens in Pool D, on Saturday, for a 3pm start.

Saints secured the EDF Energy National Trophy last season and will be keen for another strong cup run. Bristol meanwhile have lost all five Premiership games so far this season, and sit three points adrift at the bottom of the table.

Finally, a points-fest could be on the cards for fans in the other Pool D match, where Scarlets travel to Saracens, for a 3pm start on Sunday. Between them, the two sides have already amassed 249 points in just ten games.

For all your live audio commentary, match updates, post-match news and analysis, stick with www.edfenergycup.com