Topping The Season Off With The Papa John’s Community Cup
The road to Twickenham is set to be paved with thrilling action as grassroots rugby clubs across the country gear up for the first round of the inaugural Papa Johns Men’s Community Cup this weekend. The tournament was developed in response to player feedback calling for a shorter league season followed by a cup competition, as part of efforts to boost playing numbers.
The draw for the men’s cup competition, which features over 500 clubs competing across 24 competitions, has produced some exciting match-ups, renewing old rivalries and creating new ones.
You can find the fixture lists by clicking here.
The Papa Johns Women’s Cup competitions, which began in September, are now reaching the latter stages and have already delivered some thrilling results.
On 29 April, as the Red Roses take on France, Twickenham will host the Papa Johns Men’s Regional 1 Championship Final, the Papa Johns Women’s Championship play-off, Women’s Intermediate Cup and Women’s Junior Cup, marking the first time women’s community finals have been held at the iconic stadium. The Papa Johns Women’s Intermediate Plate and Girls U18 and U16 Finals will be played on the same day at Sixways.
The following weekend, on 6th and 7th May, Sixways will host the Papa Johns Men’s Regional 1 Plate, Shield, Bowl, and the Boys U18 Cup Finals, before the club season finale at Twickenham on Sunday, featuring the Papa Johns Men’s Regional 2 Championship Finals, and the Men’s Counties 1, Counties 2, Counties 3, and below finals.
In addition to the on-field action, title partner Papa Johns is offering exclusive benefits to competing clubs, including 50% discount codes on Papa Johns pizza for members, friends, and family, with each redemption resulting in a donation back to the community club.
The RFU Council Member, Terry Burwell, described the Papa Johns Cup as “an exciting opportunity for clubs and players to create unique memories on the road to Finals weekends at Twickenham and other great venues.”
Ben Lowe, Player Experience Director at the RFU, added that “We recognise this season has been challenging for some clubs, but the new Papa Johns Community Cup is intended to create a crescendo at the end of the season for the community game. We are looking forward to seeing many clubs facing new opposition, along with others re-igniting local rivalries in a race to get to the finals at Twickenham or other prestigious grounds around the country. We wish all the teams the best of luck as the men’s competition kicks off this weekend, and the women’s competition reaches the latter stages.”
The Papa Johns Community Cup promises to be a thrilling spectacle, as clubs from across the country compete for the ultimate prize of playing at iconic venues and creating memories that will last a lifetime.
