The Ospreys will begin this year's LV= Cup campaign with a first ever game against Exeter Chiefs on the weekend of 14-16 October.
After an impressive run in last year’s competition which saw a young Ospreys team narrowly miss out on a place in the last four after winning three of their four games, against Leicester Tigers, Cardiff Blues and London Wasps, with a narrow one point defeat away to Newcastle Falcons in the opening game, the Ospreys will again be looking to make a good impression in the Anglow Welsh competition.
2008 winners and losing finalists the previous year, the Ospreys will kick-off at Sandy Park in the opening round of fixtures, before hosting Northampton Saints the following weekend, Saturday 22nd October, in a 6.00pm kick-off.
When the competition returns at the end of January, the Ospreys will host Welsh rivals Newport Gwent Dragons in a local derby on the weekend of 27/28/29, before making the short trip across Offa’s Dyke to face Worcester the following weekend.
Insurance, retirement and investment group LV= has confirmed it will continue its title sponsorship of the competition for a further four years which, in addition to the two previous seasons, will see the company commit to a total of six years as title sponsor.
David Smith, LV= HR and Communications Director said
“We are delighted to continue our title sponsorship of the LV= Cup for a third year as we look to strengthen our commitment in rugby. The tournament provides a unique platform to engage with rugby fans and promote the LV= brand. The last two seasons have produced some fantastic rugby and the tournament is fast establishing itself as a hotbed for young talent. We’re very much looking forward to the forthcoming season and would like to wish all teams the best of luck.”
Sophie Goldschmidt, RFU Chief Commercial Officer added:
“We are delighted to confirm that LV= will continue their sponsorship of the competition, committing to a further four years as title sponsor. The renewed partnership between LV=, the RFU, WRU and Premier Rugby Ltd furthers strengthens the development of the competition and we are confident that will continue over the next four years.
“We will be working closely with LV=, Premier Rugby Ltd and the WRU to further raise the profile of the competition and look forward to another successful season both on the field and off.”
2011/12 LV= Cup Fixtures
Pool 1
Saracens
Bath Rugby
London Wasps
Ospreys
Pool 2
Leicester Tigers
London Irish
Sale Sharks
Cardiff Blues
Pool 3
Gloucester Rugby
Harlequins
Newcastle Falcons
Scarlets
Pool 4
Northampton Saints
Exeter Chiefs
Worcester Warriors
Dragons
Round 1 – 14/15/16 October
Northampton Saints v Saracens
Worcester Warriors v London Wasps
Dragons v Bath Rugby
Exeter Chiefs v Ospreys
Newcastle Falcons v Cardiff Blues
Harlequins v London Irish
Gloucester Rugby v Sale Sharks
Scarlets v Leicester Tigers (Saturday October 15, Sky Sports HD, KO 1800)
Round 2 – 21/22/23 October
Saracens v Exeter Chiefs
London Wasps v Dragons
Bath Rugby v Worcester Warriors
Ospreys v Northampton Saints (Saturday October 22, Sky Sports HD, KO 1800)
London Irish v Newcastle Falcons
Sale Sharks v Harlequins
Leicester Tigers v Gloucester Rugby
Cardiff Blues v Scarlets
Round 3 – 27/28/29 January
Ospreys v Dragons
London Wasps v Exeter Chiefs
Saracens v Worcester Warriors
Bath Rugby v Northampton Saints
Newcastle Falcons v Sale Sharks
Harlequins v Leicester Tigers
Scarlets v London Irish
Gloucester Rugby v Cardiff Blues
Round 4 – 3/4/5 February
Exeter Chiefs v Bath Rugby
Worcester Warriors v Ospreys
Northampton Saints v London Wasps
Dragons v Saracens
Cardiff Blues v Harlequins
Leicester Tigers v Newcastle Falcons
London Irish v Gloucester Rugby
Sale Sharks v Scarlets
Semi finals (9/10/11 March, venue TBC)
Final (16/17/18 March, venue TBC)