LV= Cup fixtures confirmed

Picture: Exeter Rugby Club/Pinnacle Photo Agency

By Mark Stevens

Exeter Chiefs will kick-off the defence of their LV= Cup crown with a trip into Wales as they prepare to face Newport-Gwent Dragons at Rodney Parade.

Having previously tackled the Welsh region in European competition, this will be the first time the two clubs have locked horns in the Anglo-Welsh competition.

Alongside the Dragons, the Chiefs - who won the trophy at Sandy Park in March with a 15-9 win over Northampton Saints - will face three rival Aviva Premiership clubs in their remaining Pool fixtures.

The now annual encounter with Bath Rugby follows for the Chiefs, before they then entertain Gloucester in the last week of January.

Seven days later Rob Baxter's side will wrap up the pool games with a trip to Allianz Park, where they will face Saracens.

Round 1 – 31 October/01/02 November

Bath Rugby v London Welsh
Gloucester Rugby v Ospreys
Newport-Gwent Dragons v Exeter Chiefs
Saracens v Harlequins – Sunday 2nd November 13:00 KO Live on Sky Sports
Cardiff Blues v Scarlets
London Irish v Leicester Tigers
Northampton Saints v Newcastle Falcons
Sale Sharks v Wasps

Round 2 – 07/08/09 November

Exeter Chiefs v Bath Rugby
Harlequins v Newport-Gwent Dragons
London Welsh v Gloucester Rugby
Ospreys v Saracens
Leicester Tigers v Sale Sharks – Sunday 9th November 15:15 KO Live on Sky Sports
Newcastle Falcons v Cardiff Blues
Scarlets v Northampton Saints
Wasps v London Irish

Round 3 – 30/31 January/01 February

Exeter Chiefs v Gloucester Rugby
Harlequins v Bath Rugby
London Welsh v Saracens
Ospreys v Newport-Gwent Dragons
Leicester Tigers v Northampton Saints
Newcastle Falcons v Sale Sharks
Scarlets v London Irish
Wasps v Cardiff Blues

Round 4 – 06/07/08 February

Bath Rugby v Ospreys
Gloucester Rugby v Harlequins
Newport-Gwent Dragons v London Welsh
Saracens v Exeter Chiefs
Cardiff Blues v Leicester Tigers
Northampton Saints v Wasps
London Irish v Newcastle Falcons
Sale Sharks v Scarlets

Semi Finals – 13/14/15 March

• The pool winner with the best playing record will be at home against the pool winner with the fourth best playing record in Semi Final 1.
• The Pool Winner with the second best playing record will be at home against the pool winner with the third best playing record in Semi Final 2.

LV= Cup Final - 22 March

• Final venue to be confirmed.