Robinson praise for cross-league rivalry

ANDY Robinson has spoken about the positive experience of playing Championship clubs in what looks set to be the final season of crossleague rivalry.

- JON NEWCOMBE

Next season's Premiership Rugby Cup will reportedly feature two five-team groups, guaranteeing four home fixtures, but supporters could be left cold by the prospect of so many repeat fixtures.

Having Championship teams compete against top flight teams for the last two seasons has given the development competition another narrative and former England player and coach Robinson believes it has also been beneficial to the young playing group he's been in charge of during Bath's Cup run.

Hath's academy/fringe first-team players have been taken out of their comfort zone, experiencing things they may have never faced before, like walking through the Dillingham Park woods to get to Ampthill's pitch, sharing toilet facilities with spectators at Cornish Pirates, or playing on Bedford's infamous slope.

"If we're making this competition about the development of young players, it is also important for young players to see that. For a lot of young players all they will see is food on the table, first class facilities, everything done for them, towels given to them when they get out of the showers," low, said.