Midweek rugby is back in 2021/22 with the Premiership Rugby Cup returning to the schedule.
Directors of rugby up and down the league lamented the loss of the competition last season despite the marathon campaign the clubs endured which saw sides play Gallagher Premiership and European Heineken Champions Cup, or Challenge Cup, games back-to-back without a break, with the cup used as a development tool for young players.
A number of clubs, including Bristol Bears, Bath Rugby, Gloucester and Exeter Chiefs arranged behind closed doors friendly games in the spring to provide playing time for their fringe players and those returning from injury, such was the need for some competitive rugby.
The first two group stage games of the 2021/22 Premiership Rugby Cup will take place during the Autumn internationals, with England hosting the Wallabies at Twickenham on the weekend of the first round and the Springboks on the second weekend.
The third and fourth pool games are scheduled to coincide with the final weekend of the 2022 Guinness Six Nations when England travel to France, Wales host Italy and Scotland head to Ireland.
The fourth and final pool game will be played on a Wednesday, as will the semi-final and final.
In 2019/20 the competition was largely played as a pre-season tournament at the same times as the Rugby World Cup in Japan. The cup was eventually won by Sale Sharks who beat Harlequins 27-19 in the final at the AJ Bell Stadium which was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Details of the draw for the pool stages of the competition and further details about the date and kick-off times of the fixtures are yet to be confirmed.
Premiership Rugby 2021/22 fixtures
Premiership Rugby Cup Round 1
12 13 14/11/2021
Premiership Rugby Cup Round 2
19 20 21/11/2021
Premiership Rugby Cup Round 3
18 19 20/03/2022
Premiership Rugby Cup Round 4
Wednesday. 30/03/2022
Premiership Rugby Cup Semi-finals
Wednesday 27/04/2022
Premiership Rugby Cup Final
Wednesday 18/05/2022
