EDF ENERGY CUP

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Ospreys begin EDF defence at home

Monday 07th July 2008

Home boost: Ospreys to start with Harlequins

Competition holders the Ospreys will launch their defence of the EDF Energy Cup against Harlequins at the Liberty Stadium in October.

Their 23-6 victory over Leicester Tigers in April saw them become the first Welsh side to lift the trophy after losing to the English side the previous year.

First up for them this season in Pool C are the Quins on the weekend of October 4 - a fixture the Ospreys won at the Twickenham Stoop 19-8 last season.

And with another home game against Worcester Warriors three weeks later, the Ospreys have an ideal chance of reaching the knockout stages again.

"We're looking forward to defending the EDF Energy Cup and are delighted that the first game will be in front of our home crowd," said Ospreys coach Sean Holley.

"Harlequins are an exciting team who had a top six finish in the Guinness Premiership last year so it promises to be a great game for all rugby supporters.

"The last two years of the EDF Energy Cup have been very positive experiences for both the Ospreys team and fans, especially last year where we achieved the ultimate prize, lifting the cup in front of our huge travelling support at Twickenham on one of the biggest rugby stages of them all."

The EDF Energy Cup, coming into its fourth year, will again be contested by the twelve Guinness Premiership clubs and the four Welsh Magners League regions.

Three rounds of matches will be played in the four-team group stages at club grounds before the EDF Energy Cup semi-finals and final which will be held on the weekends of March 28 and April 18 respectively.

"The EDF Energy Cup has provided some fantastic rugby over the last three years and we are anticipating more this season," said EDF Energy Cup Tournament Director Terry Burwell.

"The first weekend alone will provide some exciting match-ups - Bath against Leicester Tigers and Gloucester versus London Wasps, not to mention Saracens against Scarlets and the Blues at Sale Sharks.

"There is a genuine affection for cup rugby among players and supporters, as shown by the 65,000 who turned out for last April's final at Twickenham.

EDF Energy Cup 2008/09:

Pool A
Dragons
London Wasps
Gloucester Rugby
Newcastle Falcons

Pool B
Cardiff Blues
Bath Rugby
Sale Sharks
Leicester Tigers

Pool C
Ospreys
Harlequins
Worcester Warriors
London Irish

Pool D
Scarlets
Northampton Saints
Saracens
Bristol Rugby