Premiership Rugby cup to start in April

[Heathen]

TRP reporting that starting from April 13, the Premiership Rugby Cup will be played during midweek.

Pools of 3 playing H & A over 4 weeks with SFs  and final in May. Being driven by the need for revenue for the clubs from BT televising the competition. Two games  will shown from each round plus the SFs and Final.

[coddy]

It will give the youngsters and those who dont often get picked in the match day 23 a opportunity to showcase their talents at least.

[Neils]

So much for the two weeks "rest" we are in at the moment. This will stretch small squads possibly to breaking point.

[Bloke in North Dorset]

Does the cup count in the salary cap? I'm sure that in the past clubs, including Wasps, have brought in players form outside when they're struggling with injuries and don't want to use their best players?

If it does then perhaps it should be relaxed for this tournament.

[bigad82]

With the squads being used much more than is normal what's the point?

[HDAWG]

As others have mentioned, this is a very strange decision, but understandable reasons related to revenue.

I must say I hope it's mainly academy talent that get opportunities. Sirker, Spink, Simonds, Atkinson, others not yet promoted, but also players who've not had as much games such as Vukasinovic. Problem is I've no idea how many of those are actually fit to play except Sirker.

[hookender]

As it’s being played midweek hopefully it will be more for those not getting sufficient game time or coming back from injury.

Perversely, if I ignore the player welfare issue, I quite like the idea of a midweek ,separate, competition especially if they space times out to show a few over the day/evening.

Never know ,might lead to A league games being shown when normal times return.

[MarleyWasp]

When the Premiership fixtures were announced in late September, PRL said the Prem Cup would be a midweek tournament after the 6 Nations.

With no A League or club rugby below the Championship (if it happens) this is a vital development opportunity for the academy players and without it, many of our younger players would have been facing 18 months without any game time. Therefore I'm glad it's happening and am looking forward to it.

[baldpaul101]

Any money that can be brought into the game has to be a good thing given the parlous state of most clubs finances. Plus we get to see more rugby and some players we don't get to see that often.
Tough on some of the players but its necessary I think.

[Neils]

I wonder if owners asked the coaches?

[Shugs]

Basically a mini A league. I seriously hope we don't see anyone who's even close to being a regular in the matchday 23 partaking.

[Steve from Cov]

Significant risk that fringe players would walk away from the game if they can’t play matches.

[Heathen]

One of the 12 will no doubt put out a strong side throughout.

I just hope it is seen as a development competition as far as we are concerned.

[Raggs]

I hope we use it how we want to . If that's purely academy, no worries. If it's fitness for the senior side, so 3rd choice, or those returning from injury, get a run out, despite their ability, then no worries.

If it's developing key youngsters, then I'd still like to see them surrounded by senior players, since it's very hard to see how well they'd fit into the senior starting side, if they're playing with a load of their age grade peers.

What I do want to see is attacking intent, with us attempting soft skills, rather than relying on the absolute perfected basics. It's a relegation free opportunity to hone those deft touches in proper games.

[hookender]

One of the 12 will no doubt put out a strong side throughout.

I just hope it is seen as a development competition as far as we are concerned.

If relegation goes might see a couple of clubs put out strong teams just for the trophy