Scrum of the Earth /

THE Ospreys will launch their defence of the EDF Energy Cup against Harlequins at the Liberty Stadium in October.

Their 23-6 victory over Leicester Tigers in April saw them become the first Welsh side to lift the Anglo-Welsh trophy.

The EDF Energy Cup, in its fourth year, will again be contested by the 12 Guinness Premiership clubs and the four Welsh Magners League regions.

Three rounds of matches will be played in the four-team group stages at club grounds before the EDF Energy Cup semi-finals and final which will be held on the weekends of March 28 and April 18 respectively - shown live on BBC television.

The BBC will start their coverage with the visit of Guinness Premiership champions London Wasps to Gloucester Rugby in Pool A on Saturday October 4, which also sees Leicester Tigers travelling to Bath Rugby in Pool D. Northampton Saints, back in the Premiership, kick off Pool D by entertaining Bristol Rugby.

Pool A
Newport-Gwent Dragons
London Wasps
Gloucester Rugby
Newcastle Falcons

Pool B
Cardiff Blues
Bath Rugby
Sale Sharks
Leicester Tigers

Pool C
Ospreys
Harlequins
Worcester Warriors
London Irish

Pool D
Llanelli Scarlets
Northampton Saints
Saracens
Bristol Rugby

Round 1: Weekend of October 4

Pool A Gloucester Rugby v London Wasps (October 4, 2.30pm, live on BBC Network)
Pool A Dragons v Newcastle Falcons
Pool B Bath Rugby v Leicester Tigers
Pool B Sale Sharks v Blues
Pool C Ospreys v Harlequins
Pool C Worcester Warriors v London Irish
Pool D Northampton Saints v Bristol Rugby
Pool D Saracens v Scarlets

Round 2: Weekend of October 25

Pool A Newcastle Falcons v London Wasps
Pool A Gloucester Rugby v Dragons
Pool B Blues v Leicester Tigers
Pool B Sale Sharks v v Bath Rugby
Pool C Harlequins v London Irish
Pool C Ospreys v Worcester Warriors
Pool D Saracens v Northampton Saints
Pool D Scarlets v Bristol Rugby

Round 3 Weekend of November 1

Pool A Newcastle Falcons v Gloucester Rugby
Pool A London Wasps v Dragons
Pool B Blues v Bath Rugby
Pool B Leicester Tigers v Sale Sharks
Pool C London Irish v Ospreys
Pool C Worcester Warriors v Harlequins
Pool D Northampton Saints v Scarlets
Pool D Bristol Rugby v Saracens