Papa Johns Community Cup Competition
The Papa Johns Men’s Community Cup competitions will take place after the completion of the regular league season. This was the most favoured model during the Future Competition Structure consultation, intended to decongest the season and avoid league fixture clashes.
This has allowed the mid-season entry process to give clubs a better understanding of their squad for the season as well as the ability to compete in the Cup competitions with teams of comparable ability in other leagues. It will also enable clubs who enter to switch their focus to the Cup competition once their league season has finished.
Regional 1 and below
The RFU recognises the importance of Cup competitions,the excitement, variety and grandstand finish they can bring to the end of a season. Season 2022/23 therefore will see a new Cup competition take place, helping clubs celebrate community rugby and finish the season on a high.
Cup competitions will take place upon completion of the league season to avoid fixture clashes and provides an opportunity for additional home games to compensate for lost home fixtures from the reduction in league size.
Mid-season, optional entry will be introduced at Regional 1 and below. This is to provide a variety of rugby competitions for clubs and players, with final league positions determining the competition entered (e.g. Cup, Plate, or Bowl at respective levels).
The competition format will be determined so that pools will operate at Regional 1 and 2.
Counties and below
Regional knockout competitions will operate at Counties and below, all culminating in ‘Community Game Finals’ to celebrate community rugby at prestigious locations.