Developing players set to benefit from new tournament

A BRAND new 24-team British & Irish Cup will take place from next season featuring Munster, Leinster and Ulster.

The tournament will give the opportunity to develop youth and squad players, giving them the chance to play alongside some of their more experienced colleagues.

Twelve teams from the English Championship, six from the Welsh Principality Premiership, Irish provinces Munster, Leinster and Ulster and three Scotland sides will compete for the trophy. The teams will be divided into four pools of six, playing over five weekends during the autumn international and RBS 6 Nations windows, with semi-finals and finals on April 24 and May 15 respectively.