Worcester Warriors will host reigning league champions Leicester Tigers for a second time on home soil next season after the two sides were drawn against each other in the LV= Cup.
Leicester will return to Sixways for their first LV= Cup clash at the stadium since lifting the trophy in 2011 after victory over Northampton Saints. Richard Cockerill’s men will visit Sixways on the weekend of November 15/16/17 in Round 2 of the competition.
Warriors open their LV= Cup campaign a week earlier when they travel to Cardiff Blues, who from next season will play on an artificial surface. It means the pre-season clash between the two sides at Sixways next month becomes even more important as the build-up to the new campaign continues.
Warriors will face Sale for a fifth time this campaign – having already been paired with the Sharks in Europe – when Dean Ryan’s men travel to Salford City Stadium in January.
The pool stages will conclude at Sixways in the last weekend of January as Warriors host M5 rivals Exeter Chiefs in what could turn out to be another crucial clash against the Devon side.
Warriors are placed in Pool 3 of the competition alongside champions Harlequins, Bath Rugby and
Ospreys but face fixtures against teams in Pool 2 in the race for last four qualification.
Following the fixture announcement, RFU Professional Rugby Director Rob Andrew, said: “We have seen the LV= Cup develop as a crucial competition for up and coming new talent over the past few seasons as evident through players such as Jack Nowell, who was crucial in England U20’s Junior World Championship triumph.
“I’m sure the competition will again identify some promising young talent this season, and ones that we will undoubtedly see on the international stage in the years to come.”
LV= Head of Sponsorship Claire Jeromson added: “Over the course of the last four seasons, we have seen the LV= Cup grow into an incredibly exciting competition and it has been a privilege to be part of that, as title sponsors.
“In a busy rugby calendar the chance to see some of the most promising young players given their opportunity to break through into the first team for their squads is incredibly important.
“The likes of Jack Nowell and Jonny May before him have proven the value of the tournament in unearthing the next generation of international stars.”
“As domestic rugby continues to grow and become more competitive, we are looking forward to seeing what this season’s LV=Cup holds in store.”
LV=Cup 2013/14
Pool 1
Saracens
Gloucester Rugby
London Irish
Newport Gwent Dragons
Pool 2
Leicester Tigers
Exeter Chiefs
Sale Sharks
Cardiff Blues
Pool 3
Harlequins
Bath Rugby
Worcester Warriors
Ospreys
Pool 4
Northampton Saints
London Wasps
Newcastle Falcons
Scarlets
Fixtures
Round 1 – 8/9/10 November
London Wasps v Saracens
Northampton Saints v Gloucester Rugby
Newcastle Falcons v London Irish
Scarlets v Newport Gwent Dragons
Exeter Chiefs v Harlequins
Leicester Tigers v Ospreys (Friday November 8, KO 19:45, Live on Sky Sports)
Sale Sharks v Bath Rugby
Cardiff Blues v Worcester Warriors
Round 2 – 15/16/17 November
London Irish v Northampton Saints
Newport Gwent Dragons v London Wasps
Saracens v Scarlets
Gloucester Rugby v Newcastle Falcons
Bath Rugby v Exeter Chiefs (Sunday November 17, KO 15:00 Sky Sports)
Worcester Warriors v Leicester Tigers
Harlequins v Sale Sharks
Ospreys v Cardiff
Round 3 – 24/25/26 January
Scarlets v Gloucester Rugby
London Wasps v London Irish
Saracens v Newcastle Falcons
Newport Gwent Dragons v Northampton Saints
Bath Rugby v Cardiff Blues
Exeter Chiefs v Ospreys
Harlequins v Leicester Tigers
Sale Sharks v Worcester Warriors
Round 4 – 31/1/2 January/February
Gloucester Rugby v London Wasps
London Irish v Scarlets
Newcastle Falcons v Newport Gwent Dragons
Northampton Saints v Saracens
Leicester Tigers v Bath Rugby
Worcester Warriors v Exeter Chiefs
Cardiff Blues v Harlequins
Ospreys v Sale Sharks
Semi Finals – 7/8/9 March
LV= Cup Final – 16 March