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!”
Denne historien er fra April 02, 2023-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
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Denne historien er fra April 02, 2023-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
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Unbeaten Lymm put the Tykes on a leash
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Dramatic late win boosts leaders
A LAST-minute converted try saw Tonbridge Juddians snatch victory from the jaws of defeat at Barnes.
England need to be more consistent
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Cuthbert: Wales have to deliver
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Anyanwu heads the list of star attractions
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Goldthorp can challenge Kildunne for No.15 spot
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Four-try David calls the shots for Bears
MILLIE David helped Bristol blow Leicester away after scoring four of their 10 tries at Welford Road.
Scott-Young keen to follow his father
TYPICAL of most Australians, Scott-Young Angus has fairly sunny disposition and the loose forward is confident that Saints can soon start to turn things around on the road.
When value for money is not part of the deal
ENGLAND'S bench strategy against New Zealand - goodbye \"bomb squad\", hello \"squib squad\"-has been investigated, psychoanalysed, convicted on all charges and mercilessly sentenced by the entire rugby world and its maiden aunt, so there is no earthly point in returning to the scene of the crime.
'I want to prove my worth to Bath'
OUT-OF-FAVOUR winger RuBath aridh McConnochie is hoping to use the Premiership Cup to lay down a challenge to Johann van Graan and make his selection claims impossible to ignore.
