Premiership Rugby Cup
Teams
Saracens
Exeter Chiefs
Leicester
Sale Sharks
Gloucester
Northampton
Harlequins
Bristol
Bath
Newcastle Falcons
Worcester Warriors
London Irish
Wasps
Doncaster Knights
Ampthill
Coventry
Hartpury College
Ealing Trailfinders
Nottingham
Bedford Blues
London Scottish
Caldy
Cornish Pirates
Cambridge
Jersey
Wikipedia - Premiership Rugby Cup
The Premiership Rugby Cup is an English rugby union knockout cup competition for teams in Premiership Rugby and from the 2023–24 season the RFU Championship. It was created in 2018 to replace the Anglo-Welsh Cup after the withdrawal of the Welsh regions.
History
The Premiership Rugby Cup was created to replace the Anglo-Welsh Cup which had been running since 2005 when the Welsh regions joined the then English-only Powergen Cup. In the 2017–18 Anglo-Welsh Cup, all four of the Welsh regions finished bottom of their pools. In May 2018, the Welsh Rugby Union announced that they were going to be setting up a Welsh under-23s competition for their regions and would thus be unable to commit to Anglo-Welsh Cup games. Premiership Rugby Limited, which organises the English top flight, then announced that the Anglo-Welsh Cup would be replaced by the Premiership Rugby Cup, which would be solely for the English Premiership clubs. The new Premiership Cup was created to re-establish the significance of the domestic cup competition and support development of younger English Premiership players by providing a platform to compete in more matches at Premiership stadia.
The 2020–21 tournament was cancelled due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The tournament serves as a platform for teams to showcase their talent and depth, as it often provides opportunities for young and upcoming players to gain valuable experience alongside seasoned professionals. It is also a chance for clubs to experiment with different strategies and game plans, as they compete against strong opposition in a competitive environment.
The Premiership Rugby Cup follows a round-robin format, with each team playing four pool matches against the other clubs in their group. The top four teams from each group then advance to the knockout stages, consisting of quarter-finals, semi-finals, and ultimately, the final.
Matches are played over 80 minutes, with two halves of 40 minutes each. The tournament adheres to the laws and regulations of rugby union, ensuring fair play and a level playing field for all teams involved.
The Premiership Rugby Cup not only provides thrilling and intense rugby action for fans, but it also serves as a crucial stepping stone for players aiming to break into the first team and represent their club at the highest level. It offers a platform for clubs to develop their talent and build squad depth, ultimately contributing to the growth and success of English rugby.
With its rich history and tradition, the Premiership Rugby Cup has become a highly anticipated event in the rugby calendar, attracting passionate fans and showcasing the best of English club rugby.