Warriors have discovered the club’s opponents in this season’s LV= Cup competition and face the triple header against might of London and a big clash on home soil with Welsh giants Scarlets.
Richard Hill’s men have been placed in Pool 2 of the 16-team competition and will this season face fixtures against sides in Pool 3. Each team plays four pool matches – two home and two away – with the top team from each pool qualifying for the semi-finals.
Worcester welcome Scarlets on the opening weekend of the tournament on Saturday, November 10 (kick-off 3pm). Warriors then face away trips to London Wasps and London Irish before welcoming Saracens to Sixways on Saturday, February 2 (kick-off 3pm).
Saracens will kick off the 2012-13 LV= Cup season against current title holders Leicester Tigers in the opening round of the new season campaign.Tigers lifted the 2011-12 LV= Cup – which now enters its fourth season – following a convincing win over 2009 winners Northampton Saints at Sixways Stadium, the home of the Warriors.
Elsewhere, Aviva Premiership Rugby newcomers London Welsh will face fellow RFU Championship graduates Exeter Chiefs, ready for their debut in the competition, which is credited for playing a crucial role in the development of elite players.
Across the border, Ospreys will go head-to-head against 2010-11 winners Gloucester Rugby while Newport Gwent Dragons travel down the M4 to Bath for their opening fixture against last year’s semi-finalists.
Title sponsors LV= continue their support of the competition which last year saw 10,000 supporters turn out for the final at Sixways, as well as the introduction of the LV= Breakthrough Player award, presented to Jonny May.
Commenting on the new season fixtures, LV= Head of Sponsorship, Claire Jeromson, said: “After the success of last year’s tournament, which culminated in a thrilling final, we are looking forward to another exciting competition, as the LV= Cup goes into its fourth year.
“The young talent being showcased by the clubs is very strong, as displayed by current champions Leicester Tigers, and this season looks set to be no different with some early big name clashes setting the tone for the rest of the season.”
2012/13 LV= Cup
Pool 1
Harlequins
Exeter Chiefs
Gloucester Rugby
Newport Gwent Dragons
Pool 2
Leicester Tigers
Sale Sharks
Worcester Warriors
Cardiff Blues
Pool 3
Saracens
London Irish
London Wasps
Scarlets
Pool 4
Northampton Saints
Bath Rugby
London Welsh
Ospreys
Fixtures
Round 1 – 9/10/11 November
Northampton Saints v Harlequins
London Welsh v Exeter Chiefs
Bath Rugby v Newport Gwent Dragons
Ospreys v Gloucester Rugby
London Irish v Sale Sharks
Cardiff Blues v London Wasps
Worcester Warriors v Scarlets
Saracens v Leicester Tigers
Round 2 – 16/17/18 November
Harlequins v Bath Rugby
Exeter v Ospreys
Newport Gwent Dragons v Northampton Saints
Gloucester Rugby v London Welsh
Sale Sharks v Saracens
Leicester Tigers v London Irish
Scarlets v Cardiff Blues
London Wasps v Worcester Warriors
Round 3 – 25/26/27 January
Harlequins v London Welsh
Bath Rugby v Exeter Chiefs
Newport Gwent Dragons v Ospreys
Northampton Saints v Gloucester Rugby
Sale Sharks v Scarlets
Leicester Tigers v London Wasps
Saracens v Cardiff Blues
London Irish v Worcester Warriors
Round 4 – 1/2/3 February
London Welsh v Newport Gwent Dragons
Gloucester Rugby v Bath Rugby
Exeter Chiefs v Northampton Saints
Ospreys v Harlequins
London Wasps v Sale Sharks
Scarlets v Leicester Tigers
Worcester Warriors v Saracens
Cardiff Blues v London Irish
Semi Finals – 8/9/10 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 – 17 March
Final venue to be confirmed.