22 teams raring to go in new-look Cup

THE Premiership Cup returns on Friday in the new-look format involving Championship clubs for the first time. 

- BEN JAYCOCK

Exeter Chiefs secured their third title last season beating London Irish 24-20 in extra time courtesy of Aidon Davis’ 89th minute winner at the GTec Community Stadium.

The 22 teams this season and are split across four pools – two of six teams and two of five – with the seedings based on league positions in the 2022/23 season. There are five rounds of pool matches before the winners of each pool meet in the semi-finals.

Cornish Pirates take on Bath and Doncaster host Cambridge to kick off the tournament on Friday before seven games on Saturday and the first round is concluded on Sunday when Ealing Trailfinders take on Premiership giants Northampton and Championship winners Jersey visit familiar foes London Scottish.

Jersey director of rugby Harvey Biljon is looking forward to the new look tournament after both the Championship Cup and Premiership Cup became stale.

Championship winners Jersey were denied promotion to the top flight after failing to meet the RFU’s minimum criteria, therefore Biljon is looking forward to the opportunity to test his side against Premiership opposition in this competition.