Papa John's Trophy

I disagree with those that slate the naysayers. The RFU based their introducing of a cup competition on basis of feedback they say they had from players. On this very site a few seasons back I highlighted how what players say about cups and what they actually do are disconnected. I made the point in person to Bill Sweeney last season too suggesting that the investment would have been better directed to the leagues and extending the season so that we had more break weeks. Instead, we have had some Level 6 clubs playing 9 straight games and players are knackered - it is no surprise some clubs have withdrawn and the RFU were warned this would happen. For our part, we entered but could not be sure that players would make themselves available as they only really look a week or two ahead at the amateur level (L6 in our case). We are fronting up but I have every sympathy with those that don't as they could not possibly predict how their player base would behave when they entered. Now at least we know and it will be interesting to see how long this experiment lasts as the evidence from the previous national Cup competitions at all levels was not compelling....

Edited by DICKON - 27 Mar 2023 at 17:44

I can't find anything about prize money on RFU site, apart from contribution to travelling and accommodation. 

I understand Blackburn have pulled of the Regional 1 Comp

The challenge is that players don't look that far ahead Richard - I truly wish they did but most of our lads only commit 1 week ahead so that would have been hopeless for the Cup entry. We finished the league season well and felt that we might get additional availability as a result so we entered - this has proved to be a good decision for the 1st Round but if we win it the 2nd Round is on the 15th when we also have a 2s Cup Final, which adds extra pressure to the availability conundrum. 

So far 33 Walkovers - so either the players who were surveyed lied or clubs just don't think it was worth the hassle.

D, maybe "lied" was the wrong wording, naive?. Not many Clubs thought the "Cup Window" was a good idea yet the RFU still went ahead full-steam. I wouldn't be surprised if the number of games cried off tops 100 by the time the 15th April comes round. A return to cup dates in the season would be a much better spread with say the Semis and Final at the end of April. Clubs who cry-off in the early rounds at least still have league rugby to contend with, basically a lot of clubs at Level 5 down effectively ended their rugby season in March. Some clubs still the PJ Cup will have not played for 3 or 4 weeks by the time the 2nd Round comes around that can't be good for players.

Edited by PiffPaff - 28 Mar 2023 at 15:28

Neasham, the RFU FCS specified it was players who wanted an end of season cup comp.

PiffPaff wrote: Neasham, the RFU FCS specified it was players who wanted an end of season cup comp. BTW walkovers are now at 41 including Dudley Kingswinford who won Midlands 1

Edited by Neasham - 28 Mar 2023 at 18:55

Thanks for the link. Sad state of affairs.

Neasham wrote: kingsheathlad wrote: I can't find anything about prize money on RFU site, apart from contribution to travelling and accommodation.  Don’t think there has ever been a mention of prize money - don’t think anybody expects any. No doubt Papa Johns will have provided a sum of money for community sponsorship and well done to them for doing so.  The RFU will have estimated how much got travel etc would cost but presumably the reduction in entries, and the number of walkovers growing this week,  they may end up “quids in.” At least for this season I’d like to be a fly in the wall when they meet in the summer to discuss the Community Cup.