Despite the lure of a day out at Twickenham for the finalists, it is estimated by TRP that as many as 35 clubs have pulled out of the different men’s competitions, which have been tiered based on league positions, while many more opted not to take part in the first place.
Player availability, cost and the timing and structure of the Cup have been cited as some of the main factors in creating a situation that, if it worsens, will be an embarrassment to the RFU.
The flagship Regional 1 Championship, featuring some of the best clubs outside of the National Leagues, has lost Dudley Kingswinford and Blackburn, resulting in a quarter of the round-robin fixtures in that grade being classed as walkovers.
Faced with a 500-mile trip to Alnwick, which would have cost them money on coach hire over and above the £531.30 they would have received from the RFU’s travel allowance pot, Midlands outfit Dudley Kingswinford chose to pull out as late as Wednesday.
A statement on the club website said: “After a hard season both physically and mentally DKRFC have taken the decision to withdraw from the Papa John’s Community Cup.
“After last Saturday’s magnificent end to our league season the players and coaching staff were consulted and they feel battered, with a number of players carrying injuries. The thought of a 500-mile round trip on Saturday was a step too far.
“We will settle with league champions (Regional 1 Midlands) and promotion for this season!”
この記事は The Rugby Paper の April 02, 2023 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は The Rugby Paper の April 02, 2023 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
Campese: Schmidt is wrong man for Aussies
DAVID Campese delivered a blunt message regarding Joe Schmidt’s position as Australia’s head coach, claiming the Kiwi isn’t right for the role because he doesn’t understand the Wallabies’ culture and history.
How London Welsh are working way back to top
William Gupwell goes down to south-west London to find a club out to rediscover itself
Sorry, Geoff, but let's not de-power scrums
EVERY week I can’t wait for Sunday to come around so that I can read The Rugby Paper and see what is really happening in our game.
Howdy! England pair saddle up to spread the word
JESS Breach and Ellie Kildunne have launched their new podcast Rugby Rodeo with one ambition in mind – to grow the profile of the women’s game.
I put in three good shots on Jonah Lomu
BACK in the day, when we first started in Leagues in 1987, we began in North East 2.
Dupont & Co need to take on the very best
I THINK we established long ago that my admiration of Antoine Dupont knows no bounds, he is the best rugby player I have ever reported on or watched in the flesh, pipping Gareth Edwards by a short head, but there is no question that there is a gaping huge hole in his CV which many cite against him when the all-time lists are compiled and debated.
Tuipulotu's power is too much for Cardiff
SCOTLAND star Sione Tuipulotu has been hailed as one of the best three 12s in the world following his player of the match display in this 13-try rollercoaster at the Arms Park.
Following in father's footsteps ... but for how long?
CAST your minds back, those of you who are sufficiently long in the tooth, to Melbourne in late October 2003.
Borthwick should call up these young props
IT WAS surprising that neither of England’s U20 world champion props, Asher Opoku-Fordjour (Sale) or Afolabi Fasogbon (Gloucester), were in the England training squad going to Portugal ahead of the autumn series.
Lively Reed lights the spark to ignite Sharks
AARON Reed proved to be Sale’s pivotal weapon, and the perfect foil in both attack and defence to ensure Sharks came out on the right side of a nine-try nailbiter on Friday.
