Premiership Rugby Cup Guide

By Mark Stevens
22/10/18

After six rounds of Gallagher Premiership Rugby and the opening two rounds of the Heineken Champions Cup the season’s third competition, the Premiership Rugby Cup, gets underway this weekend.

What is the Premiership Rugby Cup?

This year’s revamped Cup competition replaces the old Anglo-Welsh Cup and sees the 12 Gallagher Premiership sides go head to head in a new format. The tournament sees the clubs split in to three pools for the opening stages – Exeter Chiefs have been drawn alongside Newcastle Falcons, Bath Rugby, Harlequins and Bristol Bears. Following this the Cup moves into the knockout phase with the three pool winners and the best runner up moving into the semi-finals.

What’s changed from the old Anglo-Welsh Cup?

This year’s Cup competition will just involve Gallagher Premiership sides with the Welsh regions working towards the launch of a new U23s competition. The competition also sees a new format which moves away from the Anglo-Welsh set up where clubs would not play the other teams in their pool.

What can fans expect from the Premiership Rugby Cup?

The Cup gives fans the chance to see some of the brightest new talent in the league in action. Some of Exeter's biggest names have made their senior team debuts in the old Anglo-Welsh competition in the past, with the tournament forming an important part of the senior player pathway, and this is your chance to get to know some of the stars of the future before anyone else. Plus, with the addition of a Derby Day round later in the competition fans can be sure they’ll be witnessing some fiercely fought battles against some familiar rivals!

Who’s up first for the Chiefs?

Having won the Anglo-Welsh Cup last season with victory over Bath, the Chiefs kick-off the defence of their crown with a trip to Newcastle Falcons this Sunday (3pm). 

The Chiefs have reached the past four finals, winning not only last year, but also in 2014 when they beat Northampton Saints at Sandy Park.

It has been the initial breeding ground for a number of the current first team squad, including both Jack Nowell and Ollie Devoto, who have won the competition's Breakthrough Player of the Year award in the past.

Want to catch the Chiefs in Premiership Rugby Cup action?

Tickets are currently available for our upcoming home games ahainst Bath Rugby (Nov 3) and Harlequins (Nov 10). Click here to purchase tickets.