It's only seen as a development cup because it's about the only chance there is to rest players with little downside. I don't think that's intended to be its identity as such. As for what it's for, I guess just to scratch out a little more money on fallow weekends?
I definitely remember it being identified as a "development focused" cup after the end of the 08/09 season, hence why they decided to move it into the international window from 2009/10 onwards. I always remember the press releases at the start of each AW Cup where the coaches would go on about "how its a chance to blood new players" etc.
Naturally no strict rules meaning teams have to stick to that, but this feels like the first season where a large number of teams have fielded strong teams for the majority of the competition.
Just to put the record straight.
Of the 15 who started that match only Dollman and Short had started in any of 3 important games prior to it (1 Aviva and 2 european games) and Short had only stated 1. They had some players returning from injury that took part ,which is also what the AW is used for. It was nowhere near 'close to strongest side'.
That's fair enough - happy to be corrected by someone more clued up on the Exeter squad!
All I meant was that it's pretty telling that I recognise the majority of the Exeter team, and can pick out a number of international players / players who've had a fair bit of game time since being with Exeter (before and after the game). However I maybe faintly reconize a name or two in the Scarlets team from Wales u20 / Welsh Prem duty, but the majority I've never seen before.
The disparity in experience between the two sides was pretty huge, maybe more so than the 40 - 0 scoreline showed. This isn't to have a pop at Exeter - they're perfectly entitled to play whatever side they want of course, and don't have to match it to the opposition - same applies to Bath is all I meant. It's a cup final after all, and considering that most sides have played fairly strong teams, nothing wrong with playing a strong starting XV - Not that it mattered
congrats to Chiefs!
Like the John Player / Pilkington of old. You'll be suggesting that the champions are the team that finish top of the league next
Before professionalism, knock outs were great. In 86/7 Old Reigatian beat Exeter and Saracens before losing creditably at Kingsholm. The senior clubs all put out proper sides - the Glaws front row was Preedy (capped) Dunn (Eng bench) and Pascall (Eng tourist). We'll never see that again, mores the pity. Now way too dangerous to put amateurs in with pros.
This comp as is seems pointless. Make it u21 or get shot.
Haha to be fair, my Dad still gets grumpy about play offs and wants it back to the top of the league wins it...
Yeah you couldn't ever go back to the old style set up you had in the amateur days, but I wouldn;t be against some sort of competition that did include the top Championship / Welsh Prem sides as a chance for the smaller clubs to gain some exposure while the bigger clubs blood their youngsters, with the line ups getting stronger as they go along.
A pipe dream no doubt though!
