British and Irish Cup rallying call

PLAYERS from the three Scottish sides involved in the inaugural British and Irish Cup have called on fans from across their rugby regions to back the teams as they take on the English Championship and back-up Magners League sides, including league champions Munster and Heineken Cup champions Leinster.

Representatives from Ayr, Heriot's and Gael Force were at Murrayfield for the competition's Scottish launch and to kick-start their drive for local support, billing the cup as the only opportunity to see cross-border club rugby in November. The next round of Magners League fixtures is not until the weekend of 4 and 5 December, with the Heineken Cup returning the following weekend.

Chris Fusaro, the Heriot's flanker, said: "It's a great opportunity for the Edinburgh rugby community to get together at Goldenacre to support Heriot's. For the majority of the players, the British and Irish Cup is going to be a step up and I think they'll definitely benefit from it. A big home support is really important as the players can feed off that."

Ayr lock Damien Kelly echoed Fusaro's sentiment, saying: "The Ayr support is fantastic but the British and Irish Cup presents a great opportunity to introduce new people to Millbrae. It's important that we get a good crowd to help spur us on.

"We're representing club rugby in the west of Scotland so hopefully the greater Glasgow rugby community and Glasgow Warriors supporters will come out in force to cheer us on."

Both Ayr and Heriot's qualified for the competition by finishing first and second in Scottish Hydro Premier One while Gael Force is a National Academy XV bolstered by players made available by Edinburgh and Glasgow.

On Monday night, Gael Force recorded a 20-19 win away to English Championship side Doncaster Knights, who are Ayr's opponents in Pool D.

Wing/full-back Tom Bury said: "I think the result shows Gael Force can be serious contenders in this competition and I think it shows the strength of the teams that Gael Force are going to be able to put out.

"Anyone coming down to Bridgehaugh to watch Gael Force will certainly see some good running rugby with lots of offloading – that's our strength and that's how we want to play."

Heriot's are first to host British and Irish Cup opposition when they take on Nottingham at Goldenacre on Saturday 21 November (kick-off 2pm) while Ayr welcome Rotherham Titans to Millbrae the following week on Friday 27 November (8pm).

Gael Force play three fixtures on the road before returning for back-to-back fixtures at Bridgehaugh in February.