RFU Cups
Competition Overview
There are six RFU Knockout Cup competitions running this season. The premier and re-named competition, the Anglo-Welsh Cup, provides a cup competition for the Guinness Premiership teams and the chance to compete against the four Welsh regions.
The brand new British & Irish Cup provides a cup competition for the 12 teams from the English Championship, six from the Welsh Principality Premiership, Irish provinces Munster, Leinster and Ulster and three Scottish sides are competing for the inaugural trophy.
The League Champions Cups provides an end of season climax for the league winners at Levels 4, 5 and 6 respectively. This competition structure is an ideal way of finding the best team in the country at each of the three levels.
The Intermediate Cup, Senior Vase and Junior Vase cater for clubs at Levels 7 and below who are not involved in the League Champions Cups. The Cup and Vases comprise semi-finals and finals where each of the four Divisional Organising Committees is charged with identifying one team to progress to the semi-final stage. Semi-finals take place on 24 April with the finals on the 8 May 2010. This arrangement is for one season only whilst the RFU works to identify the most appropriate competition structure at these levels.
The Anglo Welsh Cup
This tournament is competed by the 12 Guinness Premiership teams and the four Welsh regions. Teams are divided into four pools of four, with three Guinness Premiership clubs and one Welsh region in each pool
Teams in Pool 1 play teams in Pool 4 and teams in Pool 2 play teams in Pool 3. Each team guaranteed four pool matches – two home and two away – with the top teams from each pool qualifying for the semi-finals. Teams have been seeded depending on their finish in last season's Guinness Premiership and Magners League and best efforts have been made to avoid teams playing each other in back-to-back matches in various competitions. The final will be held on the weekend of 20 March 2010, details to be confirmed. See the fixtures and results pages for a full season schedule.
The British & Irish Cup
The new 24 team competition comprises four pools of six teams, playing once only. The pools are based on travel/geography with the aim of maximising local interest and minimising cost to teams and supporters. The four pool winners will then progress to the knockout stages with the Semi-Finals and Final currently scheduled for 24 April and 15 May 2010. See the fixtures and results pages for a full season schedule.
The League Champions Cups
For each of Levels 4, 5 and 6 there will be a knockout stage to determine a champion from their respective national and regional divisions.
For Level 4, the league winners from National Two North and National Two South will progress straight to the final. For Level 5, the league winners from National Three London and SE, National Three SW, National Three Midlands and National Three North will progress to a Semi Finals stage. For Level 6, the League winners from the eight Divisional 1 leagues will progress to a Quarter Finals stage.
RFU Intermediate Cup
This competition is open to clubs at Level 7. It comprises Semi-Finals and Finals where each of the 4 Divisional Organising Committees is charged with identifying one team to progress to the Semi Final stage. Semi Finals take place on the 24 April with the Finals on the 8 May 2010. For additional information take a look at all the Fixtures & Results section.
RFU Senior Vase
This competition is open to clubs at Level Eight. It comprises semi-finals and finals where each of the four Divisional Organising Committees is charged with identifying one team to progress to the semi-final stage. Semi-finals take place on the 24 April with the finals on the 8 May 2010. For additional information take a look at all the fixtures and results section.
RFU Junior Vase
This competition is open to clubs at Level 9 and below. It comprises semi-finals and finals where each of the four Divisional Organising Committees is charged with identifying one team to progress to the semi-final stage. Semi-finals take place on the 24 April with the finals on the 8 May 2010. For additional information take a look at the fixtures and results section.
Funding
The RFU has a set budget for the delivery of these competitions. Details of which will be delivered to the relevant participants as appropriate.
Specific game regulations apply for the RFU cup competitions. The relevant regulations for the competitions involving clubs at or below Level 2 are available through the RFU regulations pages.