All you need to know ahead of Round 1 of the Premiership Rugby Cup

The Premiership Rugby Cup gets underway this weekend as Gloucester Rugby look to defend their crown and the next generation of stars seize their opportunity.

With local derbies aplenty in the new format, there will be bragging rights on the line and plenty to play for in 10 games on Friday night and Saturday.

So ahead of the first action in this year’s competition, here is everything you need to know:

Big derbies to kick off

On Friday night, there will be two big derbies to set pulses racing as Exeter Chiefs head down to Mennaye Field to take on Cornish Pirates, while Northampton Saints welcome Leicester Tigers to cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens.

Then on Saturday, Harlequins will have the short trip from Twickenham to Richmond as they take on London Scottish, while defending champions Gloucester Rugby head to Hartpury.

The clash between Pirates and Chiefs comes at an interesting time, with Exeter still searching for a first win of the campaign.

Rob Baxter is able to call on a number of players who have spent time down Penzance in the past, including hooker Dan Frost, who was on the books for three seasons.

Chiefs won this tournament two years ago and made the semi-finals last season, so they will be keen to use it as a springboard once again.

Meanwhile, up in the East Midlands, Saints are giving a number of potential stars a chance to shine, with England Under-20s stars Henry Pollock, Archie McParland and George Makepeace-Cubitt forming an intriguing 8-9-10 combination.

There are a number of Saints also in line for a debut off the bench, with perhaps the most exciting name, Sonny Tonga’uiha, the son of Northampton legend Soane.

Leicester have also brought in a host of new faces, with seven players set for their competitive debuts including the entire back three of George Pearson, Jack Kinder and Malelili Satala.

While we await team news for the Saturday encounters, it will be worth keeping a close eye on the names of both teamsheets when Quins travel to Scottish.

The likes of Fin Baxter and Oscar Beard are just some of those who have honed their craft with the Exiles while dual-registered with Quins and there are plenty more looking to follow the same path including England Under-20s star Sean Kerr and highly-rated scrum-half Lucas Friday.

Similarly at Hartpury, players like George Barton and Arthur Clark got their first opportunities with the Championship side before establishing themselves at the Cherry & Whites, so expect plenty of familiar faces to come up against one another.

One Tom Curry hides another

Sale Sharks will be without both Tom and Ben Curry for their trip to Doncaster Knights, but there will be a namesake in action.

Knights have named Tom Currie in their back row for his debut, with a team that features some recognisable names for Gallagher Premiership Rugby fans.

Telusa Veainu was turning out for Sale last season but is now the starting full-back for Doncaster, while George Wacokecoke will line up at outside centre having joined from Newcastle Falcons.

Sharks may be without the Curry brothers and George Ford, but watch out for skipper Tom Curtis at fly-half, as well as Tristan Woodman in the back row.

Best of the rest

The other match on Friday night sees Coventry travel to Nottingham in all-Championship affair. Coventry were involved in some of the most exciting games of last year’s competition, and will look to continue entertaining with Matt Kvesic captaining the team from No.8.

Then on Saturday, Ealing Trailfinders play host to Saracens a year on from reaching the semi-finals of the competition.

They enjoyed plenty of success against teams from the division above, and pushed Leicester Tigers to the limit before missing out on the final.

But they take on a Sarries team who will be keen to bounce back from last week’s home defeat to Tigers, with potentially two Bracken brothers (Charlie and Jack) among those looking to take their chance.

Two more Gallagher Premiership Rugby sides are on the road at Championship opposition as Ampthill prepare for a huge occasion as they welcome Bath Rugby, while Newcastle Falcons head across to Caldy.

And last but not least, Bristol Bears and Bedford Blues have faced off plenty of times down the years, with the Blues coming into this one in fine form, having lost just once so far this season.

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