The IRB has announced the new format for the Pacific Rugby Cup, contested between two sides each from Tonga, Fiji and Samoa.
Fiji will host rounds two to five of the tournament and the final, with round one seeing each nation host its own local derby
The opening round of the tournament will see 2006 champions Savai'i Samoa taking on 2007 winners Upolu Samoa in Apia, reigning champions Fiji Warriors against Fiji Barbarians in Sigatoka and Tau'uta Reds taking on 2008 winners Tautahi Gold in the Tongan capital Nuku'alofa.
"The new tournament format was developed in consultation with each of the Member Unions following the review of the first four years of this hugely successful competition," said Tournament Director and IRB Regional General Manager for Oceania Will Glenwright.
"The condensed tournament format provides the same High Performance outcomes, whilst replicating the format of other tournaments, such as Rugby World Cup and the IRB Junior World Championship, for which the PRC is used to prepare players."
Fiji Rugby Union Chief Executive Officer Keni Dakuidreketi added: "We are delighted to be hosting the IRB Pacific Rugby Cup 2010. We learnt a lot as an organisation from the successful hosting of the ANZ Pacific Nations Cup last year and we're looking forward to applying those lessons - and building on them - to deliver an outstanding tournament for the next generation of Rugby stars from Fiji, Samoa and Tonga."
The tournament, which provides an opportunity for the best locally-based players from Fiji, Samoa and Tonga to hone their skills in a cross-border format, has proven a hugely successful High Performance component, bridging the gap between local competitions and Test Rugby.
In 2009, 30 players from Fiji, Samoa and Tonga graduated from the Pacific Rugby Cup to gain selection in the respective Test teams for the ANZ Pacific Nations Cup.
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