The Powergen Cup (centre) seen in the London Irish clubhouse at Sunbury in 2002. Photo by Paul Warrender.

The Powergen Cup, previously the John Player Cup the Pilkington Cup, Tetley's Bitter Cup was the English rugby union knock-out cup competition allowing entrants from all members of the Rugby Football Union. The Powergen Cup (centre) in the Sudbury room in 2002 after London Irish won the cup. ... The Powergen Cup (centre) in the Sudbury room in 2002 after London Irish won the cup. ... Powergen was an electric generating company in the United Kingdom. ... Pilkington Glass is a well-known British glass manufacturer. ... Tetleys Brewery in Leeds Tetleys is the name of a brewery and the ale produced by it. ... Royal motto (French): Dieu et mon droit (Translated: God and my right) Englands location (dark green) within the United Kingdom (light green), with the Republic of Ireland (blue) to its west Languages None official English de facto Capital None official London de facto Largest city London Area – Total Ranked... General phase play in rugby union. ... The Rugby Football Union (RFU) is the rugby union governing body in England. ...

Bath have won it ten times, twice as many as the second most successful club, Leicester Tigers. Bath Rugby is an English rugby union team that plays in the Guinness Premiership league. ... Leicester Football Club (nicknamed Leicester Tigers) is an English rugby union club that plays in the Guinness Premiership. ...

Some have argued that due to player burnout the Powergen Cup should be scrapped.

Anglo-Welsh Cup

Starting in 2005-06, the Powergen cup will feature a new format including the twelve teams from the Guinness Premiership and the four regional Welsh clubs. Teams from National Division One and below will now play for the Powergen National Trophy. Lawrence Dallaglio, Captain, London Wasps, Current Premiership Champions The Guinness Premiership is the present name for the leading rugby union league competition for English clubs. ... National Division One is the second tier of the English Rugby Union leagues. ... The Powergen National Trophy is a new competition for of the 118 clubs of the Rugby Football Union from National Division One and below. ...

In place of the knock-out format, the 16 sixteen clubs are placed in four pools with 3 English clubs and 1 Welsh club. The pool stages of the Anglo-Welsh Cup tournament feature one game against each team. The winners of each of the four groups progress to the semi-finals. The pools will stay as they are for next season as well, and those teams which played two of their three matches home, will switch and play two of their three matches away).

In addition to increased TV revenue (the revised Powergen Cup has already inked a handsome new broadcasting agreement with the BBC) and a possible boost to matchday income, the Powergen Cup will also offer its winner qualification to the even more lucrative Heineken Cup club competition. As base compensation all 16 Powergen clubs are guaranteed £250,000 each, with a prize fund of up to £200,000 available to the semi-finalists. [1] The Heineken Cup sponsored by Heineken (known as the H Cup in France due to alcohol advertising laws) is an annual rugby union competition involving leading club, regional and provincial teams from the Six Nations: England, France, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, and Italy. ...

Although the new Powergen Cup will certainly benefit the regional Welsh Clubs in the long-run, their inclusion initially caused them to be expelled from their home in the Celtic League. Celtic league officials were angered that the Welsh Clubs had apparently consented to Powergen Cup fixtures on the same weekend of Celtic League matches. The political fallout resulted in the expulsion of the Welsh clubs from the Celtic League. Eventually, a compromise was reached, and the Welsh clubs were readmitted to the Celtic League. The Celtic League is an annual rugby union competition involving regional sides from Ireland, Scotland and Wales, seen by many as the third major league in Europe, after the English Guinness Premiership and the French TOP 14. ... The Celtic League is an annual rugby union competition involving regional sides from Ireland, Scotland and Wales, seen by many as the third major league in Europe, after the English Guinness Premiership and the French TOP 14. ...

Many rugby union commentators see the Powergen Cup as a boon to Wales as it reinforces their regional club structure begun in 2003 when Wales began the regional structure common to southern hemisphere powers such as New Zealand and South Africa. (See the Observer, "Fine for the Welsh, but at what cost to England?", 25 Sept. 2005). But the benefits are less apparent to the English clubs, especially as the breakdown between Twickenham and the Guinness Premiership clubs intensifies.

Interest in the Powergen Cup was high during the first two rounds. Over 100,000 spectators attend matches, while the television audience peaked at 1.2 million on BBC2 for the Newcastle Falcons v. Llanelli Scarlets match. [2] The Newcastle Falcons is a rugby union team currently playing in the Zurich Premiership. ... The Llanelli Scarlets are a Rugby Union team from Wales, playing in the Celtic League and European Rugby Cup/European Rugby Shield. ...

Unfortunately, Powergen has decided to withdraw all of its rugby sponsorship after the conclusion of the 2005-2006 cup competitions. This decision was made after its parent company, German utility E.ON became a founding partner and lead sponsor of the FA and the new Wembley Stadium, and Powergen will thus align its corporate sponsorships along with its corporate parent.[3] The Powergen Cup is a rugby union knockout-competition involving clubs from England and Wales. ... E.ON AG (NYSE: EON)(LSE: EON) is a German energy company, one of the 30 members of the DAX index of major German companies. ... The Football Association (The FA) is the governing body of football in England (and the Crown dependencies of Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man). ... For the railway station of the same name, see Wembley Stadium railway station Wembley Stadium is the most famous football stadium in the world, located in Wembley, London, England, which is currently being rebuilt, although it is well behind schedule. ...

The pools (or groups) for the Powergen Cup were decided on a regional basis, comprising of three English sides geographically close to one another, and one Welsh club again divided as far as possible by their location. Pools for 2005-06 and 2006-07 Powergen Cups are as follows:- The Powergen Cup is a rugby union knockout-competition involving clubs from England and Wales. ...

Pools

See Also:2005-06 Powergen Cup

Pool A: Gloucester, Bristol, Bath, Ospreys The Powergen Cup is a rugby union knockout-competition involving clubs from England and Wales. ... Gloucester Rugby Club is an English rugby union team which plays in the Guinness Premiership. ... Bristol Rugby are the first class rugby club in Bristol, England. ... Bath Rugby is an English rugby union team that plays in the Guinness Premiership league. ... This article is about the Ospreys rugby union team, for other uses, see Osprey (disambiguation) The Ospreys (Welsh: Y Gweilch), formerly the Neath-Swansea Ospreys (Gweilch Castell-Nedd Abertawe), are a Rugby Union team from Wales, playing in the Celtic League, Powergen Cup and European Rugby Cup/European Rugby Shield. ...

Pool B: London Irish, Wasps, Saracens, Cardiff Blues London Irish are a rugby union club in England. ... London Wasps is an English rugby union team. ... Saracens Rugby Union Football Club is an English rugby union team located in Watford, Hertfordshire. ... Cardiff Blues (Welsh Gleision Caerdydd) are a Rugby Union team from Wales, playing in the Celtic League and European Rugby Cup/European Rugby Shield. ...

Pool C: Sale Sharks, Newcastle Falcons, Leeds Tykes replaces by NEC Harlequins after Tykes' relegation 'cos they're a Norhtern Team, this reagonal stuff makes so much sense., Llanelli Scarlets Sale Sharks are a professional Rugby Union team who play in England in the Guinness Premiership. ... The Newcastle Falcons is a rugby union team currently playing in the Zurich Premiership. ... Leeds Tykes is an English rugby union club, based in Leeds, that currently competes in the Guinness Premiership, the highest level of the sport in England. ... The Llanelli Scarlets are a Rugby Union team from Wales, playing in the Celtic League and European Rugby Cup/European Rugby Shield. ...

Pool D: Leicester Tigers, Worcester Warriors, Northampton Saints, Newport Gwent Dragons Leicester Football Club (nicknamed Leicester Tigers) is an English rugby union club that plays in the Guinness Premiership. ... Worcester are an English rugby union team who play in the Guinness Premiership. ... Northampton Saints is an English rugby union club from Northampton that currently plays in Englands top league, the Guinness Premiership. ... The Newport Gwent Dragons (Welsh: Dreigiau Gwent Casnewydd) are a Rugby Union team from Wales, playing in the Celtic League and European Rugby Cup/European Rugby Shield. ...

Bath, Wasps, Llanelli Scarlets, and Leicester won their respective groups. The two semi-final matches were drawn as follows:

Wasps v Leicester and Bath v Scarlets

These matches ware be played at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday, 4 March with Llanelli and Wasps going through to the final.

The Final played between Wasps and Llanelli Scarlets at Twickenham on Sunday, 9 April, ended with a 26 - 10 victory for Wasps. London Wasps is an English rugby union team. ... The Llanelli Scarlets are a Rugby Union team from Wales, playing in the Celtic League and European Rugby Cup/European Rugby Shield. ... Twickenham is a leafy, affluent suburb in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames in the south-west of London. ...

List of winners

By year

John Player Cup

• 1972 Gloucester 17 - 6 against Moseley
• 1973 Coventry 27 - 15 against Bristol
• 1974 Coventry 26 - 6 against London Scottish
• 1975 Bedford 28 - 12 against Rosslyn Park
• 1976 Gosforth (now called Newcastle) 23 - 14 against Rosslyn Park
• 1977 Gosforth 27 - 11 against Waterloo
• 1978 Gloucester RFC 6 - 3 against Leicester
• 1979 Leicester 15 - 12 against Moseley
• 1980 Leicester 21 - 9 against London Irish
• 1981 Leicester 22 - 15 against Gosforth
• 1982 Gloucester RFC and Moseley (shared) 12 - 12
• 1983 Bristol 28 - 22 against Leicester
• 1984 Bath 10 - 9 against Bristol
• 1985 Bath 24 - 15 against London Welsh
• 1986 Bath 25 - 17 against Wasps
• 1987 Bath 19 - 12 against Wasps
• 1988 Harlequins 28 - 22 against Bristol

Gloucester Rugby Club is an English rugby union team which plays in the Guinness Premiership. ... Moseley Rugby Football Clubor Moseley RFC, or Moseley Rugby Club is a Rugby Union club based in south Birmingham, founded 1873. ... Coventry Rugby Football Club is a rugby union club in the town of Coventry, England. ... Coventry Rugby Football Club is a rugby union club in the town of Coventry, England. ... London Scottish Football Club is a Rugby Union team in England. ... Bedford Blues is a rugby union club in the town of Bedford, England. ... Rosslyn Park Football Club is a rugby union team. ... The Newcastle Falcons is a rugby union team currently playing in the Zurich Premiership. ... The Newcastle Falcons is a rugby union team currently playing in the Zurich Premiership. ... Waterloo Football Club is an English Rugby Union team based at St Anthonys Road, Blundellsands, Crosby in the north of Liverpool. ... Gloucester Rugby Club is an English rugby union team which plays in the Guinness Premiership. ... Leicester Football Club (nicknamed Leicester Tigers) is an English rugby union club that plays in the Guinness Premiership. ... Moseley Rugby Football Clubor Moseley RFC, or Moseley Rugby Club is a Rugby Union club based in south Birmingham, founded 1873. ... Leicester Football Club (nicknamed Leicester Tigers) is an English rugby union club that plays in the Guinness Premiership. ... Leicester Football Club (nicknamed Leicester Tigers) is an English rugby union club that plays in the Guinness Premiership. ... The Newcastle Falcons is a rugby union team currently playing in the Zurich Premiership. ... Gloucester Rugby Club is an English rugby union team which plays in the Guinness Premiership. ... Moseley Rugby Football Clubor Moseley RFC, or Moseley Rugby Club is a Rugby Union club based in south Birmingham, founded 1873. ... Bristol Rugby are the first class rugby club in Bristol, England. ... Bath Rugby is an English rugby union team that plays in the Guinness Premiership league. ... Bath Rugby is an English rugby union team that plays in the Guinness Premiership league. ... At senior lever, London Welsh has played rugby in England since 1885 when it was originally formed. ... Bath Rugby is an English rugby union team that plays in the Guinness Premiership league. ... Bath Rugby is an English rugby union team that plays in the Guinness Premiership league. ... The Harlequin Football Club (The Harlequins or Quins for short) is an English rugby union team who currently play in the second level of English rugby, National Division One, but have secured a return to the Guinness Premiership at the first opportunity. ...

Pilkington Cup

• 1989 Bath 10 - 6 against Leicester
• 1990 Bath 48 - 6 against Gloucester
• 1991 Harlequins 25 - 13 against Northampton
• 1992 Bath 15 - 12 against Harlequins
• 1993 Leicester 23 - 16 against Harlequins
• 1994 Bath 21 - 9 against Leicester
• 1995 Bath 36 - 16 against Wasps
• 1996 Bath 16 - 15 against Leicester
• 1997 Leicester 9 - 3 against Sale

Bath Rugby is an English rugby union team that plays in the Guinness Premiership league. ... Bath Rugby is an English rugby union team that plays in the Guinness Premiership league. ... The Harlequin Football Club (The Harlequins or Quins for short) is an English rugby union team who currently play in the second level of English rugby, National Division One, but have secured a return to the Guinness Premiership at the first opportunity. ... Bath Rugby is an English rugby union team that plays in the Guinness Premiership league. ... Leicester Football Club (nicknamed Leicester Tigers) is an English rugby union club that plays in the Guinness Premiership. ... Bath Rugby is an English rugby union team that plays in the Guinness Premiership league. ... Bath Rugby is an English rugby union team that plays in the Guinness Premiership league. ... Bath Rugby is an English rugby union team that plays in the Guinness Premiership league. ... Leicester Football Club (nicknamed Leicester Tigers) is an English rugby union club that plays in the Guinness Premiership. ...

Tetley's Bitter Cup

• 1998 Saracens 48 - 18 against Wasps
• 1999 Wasps 29 - 19 against Newcastle
• 2000 Wasps 23 - 31 against Northampton

Saracens Rugby Union Football Club is an English rugby union team located in Watford, Hertfordshire. ... London Wasps is an English rugby union team. ... London Wasps is an English rugby union team. ...

Powergen Cup

• 2001 Newcastle 30 - 27 against Harlequins
• 2002 London Irish 38 - 7 against Northampton
• 2003 Gloucester RFC 40 - 22 against Northampton
• 2004 Newcastle 37 - 33 against Sale
• 2005 Leeds 20 - 12 against Bath
• 2006 London Wasps 26 - 10 against Llanelli Scarlets

The Newcastle Falcons is a rugby union team currently playing in the Zurich Premiership. ... London Irish are a rugby union club in England. ... Gloucester Rugby Club is an English rugby union team which plays in the Guinness Premiership. ... The Newcastle Falcons is a rugby union team currently playing in the Zurich Premiership. ... Leeds Tykes is an English rugby union club, based in Leeds, that currently competes in the Guinness Premiership, the highest level of the sport in England. ... London Wasps is an English rugby union team. ...

By number won

Bath Rugby is an English rugby union team that plays in the Guinness Premiership league. ... Leicester Football Club (nicknamed Leicester Tigers) is an English rugby union club that plays in the Guinness Premiership. ... Gloucester Rugby Club is an English rugby union team which plays in the Guinness Premiership. ... The Newcastle Falcons is a rugby union team currently playing in the Zurich Premiership. ... London Wasps is an English rugby union team. ... Coventry Rugby Football Club is a rugby union club in the town of Coventry, England. ... The Harlequin Football Club (The Harlequins or Quins for short) is an English rugby union team who currently play in the second level of English rugby, National Division One, but have secured a return to the Guinness Premiership at the first opportunity. ... Bedford Blues is a rugby union club in the town of Bedford, England. ... Bristol Rugby are the first class rugby club in Bristol, England. ... London Irish are a rugby union club in England. ... Saracens Rugby Union Football Club is an English rugby union team located in Watford, Hertfordshire. ... Leeds Tykes is an English rugby union club, based in Leeds, that currently competes in the Guinness Premiership, the highest level of the sport in England. ...

See also

• 2005-06 Powergen Cup
• Powergen National Trophy
• English Rugby Union teams
• Guinness Premiership
• Heineken Cup
• European Challenge Cup
• European Shield

The Powergen Cup is a rugby union knockout-competition involving clubs from England and Wales. ... The Powergen National Trophy is a new competition for of the 118 clubs of the Rugby Football Union from National Division One and below. ... The English Rugby Union league is divided up into five divisions - the Premiership, Divisions One and Two, and Divisions Three South and North. ... Lawrence Dallaglio, Captain, London Wasps, Current Premiership Champions The Guinness Premiership is the present name for the leading rugby union league competition for English clubs. ... The Heineken Cup sponsored by Heineken (known as the H Cup in France due to alcohol advertising laws) is an annual rugby union competition involving leading club, regional and provincial teams from the Six Nations: England, France, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, and Italy. ... The European Challenge Cup in rugby union, known as the Parker Pen Shield from 2001 to 2003 and Parker Pen Challenge Cup from 2003, is the sister competition to the Heineken Cup. ... In 2004/5 the twelve teams who failed to progress from the qualifying round of the European Challenge Cup were joined in the draw for the European Shield by Bucuresti (Romania), UCM Madrid (Spain), Bera Bera (Spain) and Lisboa Rugby Club (Portugal). ...

External links

• English rugby news from the BBC
• Powergen Cup news from Planet Rugby (warning: Popups)
• Site from the sponsors, Powergen