2015–16 British and Irish Cup
The 2015–16 British and Irish Cup was the seventh season of the annual rugby union competition for second tier, semi-professional clubs from Britain and Ireland. Worcester Warriors were the defending champions having won the 2014–15 final against Doncaster Knights 35–5 at Castle Park, Doncaster on 3 April 2015.[1] There have been five different winners and six different losing finalists of the competition in the six seasons of its existence. The format of the competition was similar to last season with Scottish clubs not competing. This season the four Welsh teams are the reserve sides of the teams competing in the Pro 12 competition instead of clubs from the Welsh Premier Division.
| 2015–16 British and Irish Cup | |
|---|---|
| Tournament details | |
| Countries |  England Ireland.svg.png.webp){kind=small} Wales |
| Tournament format(s) | Round-robin and knockout |
| Date | 13 November 2015 — 10 April 2016 |
| Tournament statistics | |
| Teams | 20 |
| Attendance | 72,839 (average 1,078 per match) |
| Highest attendance | 5,273 Bristol v Ulster Ravens 23 January 2016 |
| Lowest attendance | 100 (x2) Scarlets Premiership Select v Ulster Ravens 21 November 2015 Connacht Eagles v Doncaster Knights 16 January 2016 |
| Top point scorer(s) | Laurence May Cornish Pirates 70 points |
| Top try scorer(s) | Dan Leavy Leinster A 7 tries |
| Final | |
| Champions | London Welsh (1st title) |
| Runners-up | Yorkshire Carnegie |
Matches were played on the same weekends as the European Rugby Champions and Challenge cups. First round matches began on 13 November 2015 and the final was held on 10 April 2016.
Competition format
The competition format is a pool stage followed by a knockout stage. The pool stage consists of five pools of four teams playing home and away matches. The top side in each pool, plus the three best runners-up, will progress to the knockout stage. The eight quarter-finalists will be ranked, with top four teams having home advantage. The four winning quarter-finalists will progress to the semi-final draw. Matches take place on the same weekends as the European Rugby Champions and Challenge cups.
Participating teams and locations
The allocation of teams is as follows:
- – twelve clubs from RFU Championship
- – four Irish provinces represented by 'A' teams
- – four Welsh regions represented by Premiership Select teams.
- Jersey is listed in the English section because they play in the English RFU Championship.
Pool stages
Pool 1
| Team | P | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | TB | LB | Pts | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leinster A |
6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 240 | 92 | 148 | 5 | 0 | 29 | ||
| Moseley |
6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 155 | 191 | –36 | 4 | 0 | 20 | ||
| Rotherham Titans |
6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 155 | 120 | 35 | 3 | 2 | 13 | ||
| Ealing Trailfinders |
6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 100 | 247 | –147 | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||
| Source : Updated: Points breakdown: *4 points for a win *2 points for a draw *1 bonus point for a loss by seven points or less *1 bonus point for scoring four or more tries in a match | ||||||||||||
11 December 2015 19:30 |
| (BP) Leinster A | 45 – 13 | Ealing Trailfinders |
|---|---|---|
| Report |
Donnybrook Attendance: 800 Referee: Craig Evans |
12 December 2015 15:00 |
| (BP) Moseley | 26 – 10 | Rotherham Titans |
|---|---|---|
| Report |
Billesley Common Attendance: 591 Referee: Adam Jones |
19 December 2015 15:00 |
| Ealing Trailfinders | 10 – 36 | Leinster A (BP) |
|---|---|---|
| Report |
Trailfinders Sports Ground Attendance: 804 Referee: Dan Jones |
20 December 2015 14:00 |
| (BP) Rotherham Titans | 19 – 20 | Moseley |
|---|---|---|
| Report |
Clifton Lane Attendance: 681 Referee: Ben Blain |
16 January 2016 14:00 |
| Rotherham Titans | P – P | Ealing Trailfinders |
|---|---|---|
Clifton Lane |
- Postponed due to frozen pitch. Game rescheduled to 20 February 2016.[6]
16 January 2016 15:00 |
| (BP) Moseley | 24 – 49 | Leinster A (BP) |
|---|---|---|
| Report |
Billesley Common Attendance: 773 Referee: Michael Hudson |
22 January 2015 19:30 |
| (BP) Leinster A | 43 – 24 | Rotherham Titans (BP) |
|---|---|---|
| Report |
Donnybrook Attendance: 350 Referee: Dan Jones |
23 January 2015 15:00 |
| Ealing Trailfinders | 27 – 36 | Moseley (BP) |
|---|---|---|
| Report |
Trailfinders Sports Ground Attendance: 456 Referee: Fergus Kirby |
20 February 2016 14:00 |
| (BP) Rotherham Titans | 45 − 7 | Ealing Trailfinders |
|---|---|---|
Clifton Lane Attendance: 618 Referee: Jack Makepeace |
- Game rescheduled from 16 January 2016.
Pool 2
| Team | P | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | TB | LB | Pts | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bedford Blues |
6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 166 | 144 | 22 | 4 | 0 | 24 | ||
| Bristol |
6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 200 | 112 | 88 | 3 | 0 | 19 | ||
| Ulster Ravens |
6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 112 | 143 | –31 | 1 | 1 | 10 | ||
| Scarlets Premiership Select |
6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 114 | 193 | –79 | 1 | 1 | 6 | ||
| Source : Updated: Points breakdown: *4 points for a win *2 points for a draw *1 bonus point for a loss by seven points or less *1 bonus point for scoring four or more tries in a match | ||||||||||||
11 December 2015 19:45 |
| (BP) Bristol Rugby | 52 – 3 | Bedford Blues |
|---|---|---|
| Report |
Ashton Gate Attendance: 4,615 Referee: Matthew O'Grady |
19 December 2015 15:00 |
| (BP) Bedford Blues | 34 – 17 | Bristol Rugby |
|---|---|---|
| Report |
Goldington Road Attendance: 2,357 Referee: Nigel Correll |
- Game was initially to be held at Church Bank Playing Fields (home of Llandovery) but due an unplayable pitch caused by heavy rain the fixture was switched to Station Road in Bristol (home of Clifton RFC and Bristol Rugby's training ground). Despite being held in Bristol it would be classed as a home game for the Scarlets with the gate fee going to that club.[11]
22 January 2016 19:45 |
| (BP) Bristol Rugby | 47 – 13 | Ulster Ravens |
|---|---|---|
| Report |
Ashton Gate Attendance: 5,273 Referee: Craig Evans |
23 January 2016 15:00 |
| (BP) Bedford Blues | 45 – 34 | Scarlets Premiership Select (BP) |
|---|---|---|
| Report |
Goldington Road Attendance: 2,126 Referee: Stuart Gaffikin |
Pool 3
| Team | P | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | TB | LB | Pts | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yorkshire Carnegie |
6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 202 | 98 | 104 | 5 | 1 | 26 | ||
| London Scottish |
6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 151 | 144 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 19 | ||
| Munster A |
6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 153 | 134 | 19 | 3 | 1 | 16 | ||
| Ospreys Premiership Select |
6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 81 | 211 | –130 | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||
| Source : Updated: Points breakdown: *4 points for a win *2 points for a draw *1 bonus point for a loss by seven points or less *1 bonus point for scoring four or more tries in a match | ||||||||||||
- Game was initially to be held at Laund Hill (home of Huddersfield YMCA) but due to an unplayable pitch caused by heavy rain the fixture was switched to Headingley.[12]
19 December 2015 15:00 |
| (BP) London Scottish | 24 – 29 | Yorkshire Carnegie (BP) |
|---|---|---|
| Report |
Athletic Ground Attendance: 882 Referee: Craig Evans |
16 January 2016 15:00 |
| (BP) London Scottish | 49 – 7 | Ospreys Premiership Select |
|---|---|---|
| Report |
Athletic Ground Attendance: 849 Referee: Ben Blain |
Pool 4
| Team | P | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | TB | LB | Pts | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Cornish Pirates |
6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 157 | 92 | 65 | 2 | 1 | 23 | ||
| London Welsh |
6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 169 | 139 | 30 | 3 | 1 | 20 | ||
| Cardiff Blues Premiership Select |
6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 117 | 141 | –24 | 1 | 2 | 9 | ||
| Nottingham Rugby |
6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 82 | 153 | –71 | 0 | 0 | 6 | ||
| Source : Updated: Points breakdown: *4 points for a win *2 points for a draw *1 bonus point for a loss by seven points or less *1 bonus point for scoring four or more tries in a match | ||||||||||||
12 December 2015 14:00 |
| (BP) London Welsh | 42 – 17 | Nottingham Rugby |
|---|---|---|
| Report |
Old Deer Park Attendance: 836 Referee: Jack Makepeace |
19 December 2015 15:00 |
| (BP) Cornish Pirates | 15 – 18 | Cardiff Premiership Select |
|---|---|---|
| Report |
Mennaye Field Attendance: 1,073 Referee: Stuart Gaffikin |
16 January 2016 14:30 |
| (BP) Cardiff Blues Premiership Select | 30 – 32 | London Welsh (BP) |
|---|---|---|
| Report |
Cardiff Arms Park Attendance: 850 Referee: Fergus Kirby |
17 January 2016 15:00 |
| (BP) Cornish Pirates | 38 – 19 | Nottingham Rugby |
|---|---|---|
| Report |
Mennaye Field Attendance: 1,160 Referee: Matt O'Grady |
22 January 2016 19:45 |
| Nottingham Rugby | 19 – 10 | Cardiff Premiership Select |
|---|---|---|
| Report |
Lady Bay Sports Ground Attendance: 1,018 Referee: Frank Murphy |
23 January 2016 14:00 |
| London Welsh | 17 – 35 | Cornish Pirates (BP) |
|---|---|---|
| Report |
Old Deer Park Attendance: 959 Referee: Steve Lee |
Pool 5
| Team | P | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | TB | LB | Pts | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Doncaster Knights |
6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 173 | 84 | 89 | 3 | 1 | 22 | ||
 Jersey |
6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 189 | 105 | 84 | 3 | 0 | 21 | ||
| Newport Gwent Dragons Premiership Select |
6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 119 | 134 | –15 | 1 | 1 | 14 | ||
| Connacht Eagles |
6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 40 | 198 | –158 | 0 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Source : Updated: Points breakdown: *4 points for a win *2 points for a draw *1 bonus point for a loss by seven points or less *1 bonus point for scoring four or more tries in a match | ||||||||||||
12 December 2015 14:30 |
| Connacht Eagles | 10 – 40 | Jersey (BP) |
|---|---|---|
| Report |
Sportsground Attendance: 225 Referee: Dan Jones |
12 December 2015 14:30 |
| Doncaster Knights | 21 – 16 | Newport Gwent Dragons Premiership Select (BP) |
|---|---|---|
| Report |
Castle Park Attendance: 1,051 Referee: Stuart Gaffikin |
19 December 2015 14:00 |
| (BP) Jersey | 52 – 12 | Connacht Eagles |
|---|---|---|
| Report |
St Peter Attendance: 1,648 Referee: Jack Makepeace |
19 December 2015 15:00 |
| Newport Gwent Dragons Premiership Select | 17 – 49 | Doncaster Knights (BP) |
|---|---|---|
| Report |
16 January 2015 13:00 |
| Connacht Eagles | 0 – 40 | Doncaster Knights |
|---|---|---|
| Report |
Sportsground Attendance: 100 Referee: Adam Jones |
16 January 2015 14:30 |
| Jersey | 24 – 12 | Newport Gwent Dragons Premiership Select |
|---|---|---|
| Report |
St Peter Attendance: 1,606 Referee: Nigel Correll |
23 January 2015 14:00 |
| (BP) Doncaster Knights | 19 – 24 | Jersey |
|---|---|---|
| Report |
Castle Park Attendance: 1,386 Referee: Michael Hudson |
Knock-out stage
The eight qualifiers are seeded according to performance in the pool stage, and competed in the quarter-finals, which are held on the weekend of 11/12/13 March 2016. The four top seeds host the quarter-finals against the lower seeds, in a 1 v 8, 2 v 7, 3 v 6 and 4 v 5 format. However, if two teams have qualified from the same group then they cannot be drawn together despite the seeding. Hence Leinster A and Moseley were not drawn together leading to a 1 v 7, 2 v 8, 3 v 6, 4 v 5 format.
Teams are ranked by:
- 1 – competition points (4 for a win, 2 for a draw)
- 2 – where competition points are equal, greatest number of wins
- 3 – where the number of wins are equal, aggregate points difference
- 4 – where the aggregate points difference are equal, greatest number of points scored
| Seed | Pool Winners | Pts | Wins | Pts diff |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leinster A | 29 | 6 | 148 |
| 2 | Yorkshire Carnegie | 26 | 5 | 104 |
| 3 | Bedford Blues | 24 | 5 | 22 |
| 4 | Cornish Pirates | 23 | 5 | 65 |
| 5 | Doncaster Knights | 22 | 4 | 89 |
| Seed | Pool Runners–up | Pts | Wins | Pts diff |
| 6 | Jersey | 21 | 4 | 84 |
| 7 | London Welsh | 20 | 4 | 30 |
| 8 | Moseley | 20 | 4 | –36 |
| 9 | Bristol | 19 | 4 | 88 |
| 10 | London Scottish | 19 | 4 | 7 |
| Quarter-finals | Semi-finals | Final | ||||||||
| 12 March 2016 - Donnybrook | ||||||||||
| Leinster A | 39 | |||||||||
| 19 March 2016 - Old Deer Park | ||||||||||
| London Welsh | 45 | |||||||||
| London Welsh | 36 | |||||||||
| 13 March 2016 - Mennaye Field | ||||||||||
| Cornish Pirates | 15 | |||||||||
| Cornish Pirates | 38 | |||||||||
| 10 April 2016 - Headingley Stadium | ||||||||||
| Doncaster Knights | 19 | |||||||||
| Yorkshire Carnegie | 10 | |||||||||
| 11 March 2016 - Goldington Road | ||||||||||
| London Welsh | 33 | |||||||||
| Bedford Blues | 15 | |||||||||
| 20 March 2016 - Headingley Stadium | ||||||||||
| Jersey | 19 | |||||||||
| Yorkshire Carnegie | 33 | |||||||||
| 13 March 2016 - Headingley Stadium | ||||||||||
| Jersey | 32 | |||||||||
| Yorkshire Carnegie | 50 | |||||||||
| Moseley | 3 | |||||||||
Quarter-finals
11 March 2016 19:45 |
| Bedford Blues | 15 – 19 | Jersey |
|---|---|---|
| Report |
Goldington Road Attendance: 2,455 Referee: Frank Murphy |
12 March 2016 19:00 |
| Leinster A | 39 – 45 | London Welsh |
|---|---|---|
| Report |
Donnybrook Attendance: 932 Referee: Craig Evans |
13 March 2016 15:00 |
| Cornish Pirates | 38 – 19 | Doncaster Knights |
|---|---|---|
| Report |
Mennaye Field Attendance: 1,136 Referee: Stuart Townsend |
13 March 2016 15:00 |
| Yorkshire Carnegie | 50 – 3 | Moseley |
|---|---|---|
| Report |
Headingley Stadium Attendance: 715 Referee: Christophe Ridley |
Semi-finals
19 March 2016 12:30 |
| London Welsh | 36 - 15 | Cornish Pirates |
|---|---|---|
| Report |
Old Deer Park Attendance: 642 Referee: Andrew Jackson |
20 March 2016 15:00 |
| Yorkshire Carnegie | 33 - 32 | Jersey |
|---|---|---|
| Report |
Headingley Stadium Attendance: 626 Referee: Sean Gallagher |
Final
10 April 2016 15:00 |
| Yorkshire Carnegie | 10 - 33 | London Welsh |
|---|---|---|
| Report |
Headingley Stadium Attendance: 3,107 Referee: Craig Evans |
Attendances
| Club | Home Games |
Total | Average | Highest | Lowest | % Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bedford Blues | 4 | 9,241 | 2,310 | 2,455 | 2,126 | 39% |
| Bristol Rugby | 3 | 14,997 | 4,999 | 5,273 | 4,615 | 23% |
| Cardiff Premiership Select | 3 | 2,142 | 714 | 850 | 628 | 6% |
| Connacht Eagles | 3 | 450 | 150 | 225 | 100 | 2% |
| Cornish Pirates | 4 | 4,492 | 1,123 | 1,160 | 1,073 | 28% |
| Doncaster Knights | 3 | 3,682 | 1,227 | 1,386 | 1,051 | 25% |
| Ealing Trailfinders | 3 | 1,616 | 539 | 804 | 356 | 18% |
| Jersey | 3 | 5,026 | 1,675 | 1,772 | 1,606 | 34% |
| Leinster A | 4 | 2,882 | 721 | 932 | 350 | 12% |
| London Scottish | 3 | 2,672 | 891 | 941 | 849 | 20% |
| London Welsh | 4 | 3,594 | 899 | 1,157 | 642 | 15% |
| Moseley | 3 | 2,182 | 727 | 818 | 591 | 24% |
| Munster A | 3 | 1,677 | 559 | 850 | 300 | 18% |
| Newport Gwent Dragons Premiership Select | 3 | 800 | 267 | 400 | 200 | 7% |
| Nottingham Rugby | 3 | 2,845 | 948 | 1,018 | 874 | 47% |
| Ospreys Premiership Select | 3 | 1,200 | 400 | 500 | 325 | 9% |
| Rotherham Titans | 3 | 2,316 | 772 | 1,017 | 618 | 31% |
| Scarlets Premiership Select | 3 | 2,154 | 718 | 1,254 | 100 | 26% |
| Ulster Ravens | 3 | 2,632 | 877 | 1,607 | 425 | 37% |
| Yorkshire Carnegie | 6 | 6,239 | 1,040 | 3,107 | 580 | 15% |
Individual statistics
- Note if players are tied on tries or points the player with the lowest number of appearances is placed first (if they have the same number of games, then the less minutes played will rank first). Also note that points scorers includes tries as well as conversions, penalties and drop goals. Appearance figures also include coming on as substitutes (unused substitutes not included).
Top points scorers
|
Top try scorers
|
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Season records
Team
56 - 6 Yorkshire Carnegie at home to London Scottish on 13 December 2015
40 - 0 Doncaster Knights away to Connacht Eagles on 16 January 2015
62 - 16 Bristol Rugby at home to Scarlets Premiership Select on 22 November 2015
Bristol Rugby at home to Scarlets Premiership Select on 22 November 2015
Bristol Rugby at home to Scarlets Premiership Select on 22 November 2015
Cornish Pirates away to Nottingham Rugby on 22 November 2015
Leinster A away to Rotherham Titans on 14 November 2015 Player
|
Attendances
Bristol Rugby at home to Ulster Ravens on 23 January 2016
Scarlets Premiership Select at home to Ulster Ravens on 21 November 2015
Bristol Rugby
Connacht Eagles |
References
- "Worcester Warriors win 2014/15 British & Irish Cup final". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 4 April 2015.
- "British & Irish Cup". The RUGBYPaper (374). Rugby Paper Ltd. 15 November 2015. pp. 22–23 & 38.
- "British & Irish Cup". The RUGBYPaper (375). Rugby Paper Ltd. 22 November 2015. pp. 20–22 & 38.
- "British & Irish Cup". The RUGBYPaper (378). Rugby Paper Ltd. 13 December 2015. pp. 20–21 & 38.
- "British & Irish Cup". The RUGBYPaper (379). Rugby Paper Ltd. 20 December 2015. pp. 20–21 & 38.
- "MATCH OFF". Rotherham Rugby. 16 January 2016.
- "British & Irish Cup". The RUGBYPaper (383). Rugby Paper Ltd. 17 January 2016. pp. 22–23 & 38.
- "British & Irish Cup". The RUGBYPaper (384). Rugby Paper Ltd. 24 January 2016. pp. 28–29 & 38.
- "British & Irish Cup". The RUGBYPaper (388). Rugby Paper Ltd. 21 February 2016. pp. 20 & 38.
- "Scarlets A vs Bedford". Sky Sports. 15 November 2015.
- "Scarlets A game switched to Clifton". Scarlet Fever. 13 January 2016.
- "Yorkshire Carnegie's British & Irish Cup tie switched to Headingley from Huddersfield YMCA". The Telegraph and Argus. 15 November 2015.
- "Yorkshire Carnegie 56 London Scottish 7". Yorkshire Carnegie. 13 December 2015.
- "Ospreys A 26 - 46 Munster A". Sky Sports. 20 December 2015.
- "Cardiff Blues A vs Nottingham". Sky Sports. 14 November 2015.
- "Nottingham Rugby 7 Cornish Pirates 19: British and Irish Cup match report". Nottingham Post. 22 November 2015. Archived from the original on 23 November 2015.
- "Cardiff Blues A vs Cornish Pirates". Sky Sports. 13 December 2015.
- "Nottingham Rugby 0 London Welsh 24: Match report". Nottingham Post. 20 December 2015. Archived from the original on 22 December 2015.
- "Newport Gwent Dragons A vs Jersey". Sky Sports. 22 November 2015.
- "British & Irish Cup". The RUGBYPaper (391). Rugby Paper Ltd. 13 March 2016. pp. 28–29 & 39.
- "British & Irish Cup". The RUGBYPaper (392). Rugby Paper Ltd. 20 March 2016. pp. 28 & 38.
- "British and Irish Cup 15/16 Leading top scorers". Rugby Statbunker. 10 April 2016.
- "British and Irish Cup 15/16 Leading try scorers". Rugby Statbunker. 10 April 2016.
- "British and Irish Cup 15/16 Most tries in a match (Team)". Rugby Statbunker. 13 March 2016.
- "British and Irish Cup 15/16 Most conversions in a match (Team)". Rugby Statbunker. 13 March 2016.
- "British and Irish Cup 15/16 Most penalties in a match (Team)". Rugby Statbunker. 13 March 2016.
- "British and Irish Cup 15/16 Most drop goals in a match (Team)". Rugby Statbunker. 13 March 2016.
- "British and Irish Cup 15/16 Most points in a match (Player)". Rugby Statbunker. 13 March 2016.
- "British and Irish Cup 15/16 Most tries in a match (Player)". Rugby Statbunker. 13 March 2016.
- "British and Irish Cup 15/16 Most conversions in a match (Player)". Rugby Statbunker. 13 March 2016.
- "British and Irish Cup 15/16 Most penalties in a match (Player)". Rugby Statbunker. 13 March 2016.
- "British and Irish Cup 15/16 Most drop goals in a match (Player)". Rugby Statbunker. 13 March 2016.
- "British and Irish Cup 15/16 Home attendance". Rugby Statbunker. 13 March 2016.