Cornish Pirates face Currie in Cup opener

Defending champions Cornish Pirates will open their 2010/11 British & Irish Cup campaign away at Scottish Premiership One winners Currie.

The Pirates outclassed Munster to win the inaugural final 23-14 in May.

Currie are one of six new sides in the draw for the Cup this year, with Esher, Melrose, Worcester Warriors, Llandovery and Swansea the other newcomers.

The draw sees the 24 teams compete in four pools, with the top two sides from each going on to the knockout stages.

The Pirates have been drawn in Pool A alongside Plymouth Albion, who are away at Leinster in round one, and Worcester, who host Newport.

Last season's beaten finalists Munster open their campaign away at Melrose in Pool B, while Bristol play Nottingham and Esher take on Llanelli at home.

Ulster, who lost in the semi-finals last term, take on Bedford first up in Pool C, while Swansea meet Neath, and London Welsh welcome Moseley to Old Deer Park.

In Pool D the pick of the opening round sees Welsh Principality Premiership side Pontypridd host Scottish club Ayr, while Birmingham & Solihull face Doncaster and Rotherham take on Llandovery

Terry Burwell, British & Irish Cup director said: "The inaugural British & Irish Cup was positive received and gave players, coaches, referees and spectators a different level of competition to what they are used to.

"We have kept the same pool framework and reversed last season's fixtures wherever possible as we promised and we have included a quarter-final so that there is a greater opportunity for more teams to progress to the knock-out stages."

The first round of fixtures will be played over the weekend of 11 and 12 December, with the last round of group matches played on the 26 February, before the quarter-finals get underway on 5 March.

Pool A: Cornish Pirates, Currie, Leinster, Newport, Plymouth Albion, Worcester Warriors

Pool B: Bristol Rugby, Esher, Llanelli, Melrose, Munster, Nottingham Rugby

Pool C: Bedford Blues, London Welsh, Moseley, Neath, Swansea, Ulster

Pool D: Ayr, Birmingham & Solihull, Doncaster Knights, Llandovery, Pontypridd, Rotherham Titans