An all-English competition replaces Anglo-Welsh Cup

May 10, 2018
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Ultimate Rugby

In an article by the Telegraph Premiership Rugby chief executive Mark McCafferty has confirmed that The Anglo-Welsh Cup will be replaced next season by a 12-team competition involving solely Premiership sides.

The newly formed competition will be known as the Premiership Rugby Cup, will reportedly give out a total of over £500,000 in prize money with financial incentives riding on every game.

England’s top clubs will be split into three groups of four teams, while the inclusion of Welsh regional sides ends after almost 13 years.

All four Welsh regions finished bottom of their pools during the 2017/18 season after struggling to stretch their squads enough during the international windows. The split comes after Pro Rugby Wales moves to establish an under-23 regional competition, while Premiership Rugby preferring flexibility to rigid age restrictions.

Premiership Rugby chief executive Mark McCafferty explained that he felt that keeping the third competition was “hugely important” for English rugby.

“The Cup competition bridges the gap for young players from A League and under-18 rugby before they make the step into the Premiership or European matches and on to the Test match arena,” McCafferty said.

“It is a development competition with the average age of 24, for the next generation of Owen Farrells and Maro Itojes. The Anglo-Welsh Cup has acted as a finishing school for these young players and the Premiership Rugby Cup competition will do the same.”

How it will work:

- Twelve Premiership teams in three pools of four.

- Three pool winners and best runner-up qualify for semi-finals.

- Final to be played at home ground of highest-seeded qualifier.

McCafferty also confirmed that the Premiership A League will continue despite administrative issues this season.

Full Story via telegraph.co.uk