Anglo-welsh Cup replaced by new competition for Premiership clubs

The Anglo-welsh Cup is to be replaced by a new competition next season involving all 12 Premiership clubs.

The Premiership Rugby Cup will carry prize money of more than £500,000 and see teams competing in three pools of four.

The first two pool rounds will start on the final weekend of October, and the last two in late January. Three pool winners and best runner-up will progress to the semi-finals, while group stages will also include a “Derby day” round, Premiership Rugby said.

Welsh regional teams end their 13-year involvement through the Anglo-welsh Cup, with an emphasis in Wales now being put on a new under-23 competition.

“We are sad that our friends in the Welsh regions will not be involved next season, but we have been discussing for some time that they need to move to a new structure, prioritising an under-23 format,” Premiership Rugby chief executive Mark Mccafferty said.

“The cup has been a highly-successful competition in recent years in helping develop the best new Premiership and England players, in front of big crowds and television audiences.

“The focus on new playing and coaching talent will continue in the new cup format with young players and coaches experiencing the challenge of bigger crowds and TV exposure.”

Meanwhile, Bath have swooped to sign exciting wing prospect Joe Cokanasiga.

The Aviva Premiership club announced that Cokanasiga, pictured, who will be part of England’s training squad for a camp in Brighton next week, has agreed a threeyear deal. The 20-year-old will move to Bath from London Irish and link up with them this summer.

“I am genuinely excited to be joining Bath,” he told the west country club’s official website. “It is tough to leave Irish, having loved my time there, and I would like to thank everyone involved with the club for the opportunities they have given me.

“However, I feel the environment at Bath is exactly what I need to grow and develop as a player both on and off the field and ultimately achieve my international ambitions.

“There is huge potential to achieve success, and I am really looking forward to spending my long-term future with the club.”