Welshman Phil Davies coached Leeds to victory last season

Cardiff's Millennium Stadium will host a semi-final double header for the new-look Powergen Cup this season, with the final remaining at Twickenham.

The new 16-team format, with England's 12 Premiership clubs and Wales' four regions, kicks off on 30 September.

The BBC has committed to a four-year deal to cover the tournament and will show at least four group matches as well as the semi-finals and final.

The semi-finals will be on 4-5 March, with the final on 8-9 April 2006.

Powergen Cup fixtures

A second competition, the Powergen National Trophy, will involve 118 teams from the English league structure from National Division One and below.

The Powergen Intermediate Cup and Powergen Junior Vase are unchanged with all finals to be played at Twickenham in April as part of Powergen Finals Day.

The Powergen Shield ceases to exist.