Has anyone heard anything?
I’ve heard that Premier ship cup will be used as ore season, apparently fixtures out this week

Jersey have a “ Game” pencilled in for the 30th August but no opponent listed and can’t remember if the pre season agreement ever had a firm agreement on years etc,
So just wondered if anyone had heard anything

It's official, the Prem Cup games are the "pre-season" games...

Link

2019/20 PREMIERSHIP RUGBY CUP DRAW REVEALED
Wednesday, 17th July 2019 @ 11:00

HARLEQUINS WILL FACE LOCAL RIVALS LONDON IRISH, BRISTOL BEARS AND GLOUCESTER RUGBY IN THE GROUP STAGES OF THE PREMIERSHIP RUGBY CUP, PLUS A DERBY DAY FIXTURE AGAINST SARACENS.

The draw for the Cup, which kick starts this season due to the Rugby World Cup in Japan, has been announced, with a home match for Harlequins against Bristol Bears under the Friday Night Lights at The Stoop on Friday 20th September (kick-off: 19:45, live on BT Sport).

In Round 2, Quins will travel to the Madjeski to face London Irish on Saturday 28th September (kick-off: 15:00), before welcoming Gloucester Rugby to The Stoop on Saturday 5th October in Round 3 (kick-off: 15:00).

As with last year’s competition, Harlequins will play a Derby Day fixture against Saracens in the final Pool stage round, at Allianz Park on Saturday 15th October (kick-off: 15:00, live on BT Sport).

Harlequins Head of Rugby Paul Gustard said: “The scheduling of the Premiership Rugby Cup this year means we can use these fixtures as the core base of our preparation for the Gallagher Premiership. With the slightly longer pre-season, I know from the early evidence we will be much fitter and in better condition than last year and will be ready to start the season strong. We traditionally use the Cup fixtures as a primary vehicle to give opportunity to the younger members of the squad and place them in competitive fixtures in the Quarters, but with the Gallagher Premiership starting later than normal we will now use these fixtures to rotate our senior squad, giving everyone an opportunity to play and stake a claim for our mouth-watering clash against Exeter Chiefs in the first round of the competition.

“We will effectively use them as our sole pre-season fixtures as we know the season will be elongated into June so we do not want players burn out and increase the amount of matches they play unnecessarily.

“We are placed in a very strong group and I am sure it’s one that our supporters are relishing and looking forward to keenly as they wait to see their favourite players combine with our exciting new Quins as we look to “move on up” from last season. We start under the lights at The Stoop against Pat Lam’s Bristol which is always a great occasion and one which I am sure will draw a full house as two positive ambitious teams look to start with energy and excitement.

“The boys were back in training last week and the buzz around the training centre is outstanding. As a coaching group we are very excited about the talent, potential and characters we have in our squad and feel energised about the possibilities and memories that can be created.”

2019/20 Premiership Rugby Cup Pool Stage Fixtures

Friday 20th September: Harlequins v Bristol Bears, The Stoop, kick-off: 19:45, live on BT Sport

Saturday 28th September: London Irish v Harlequins, Madjeski Stadium, kick-off: 15:00

Saturday 5th October: Harlequins v Gloucester Rugby, The Stoop, kick-off: 15:00

Saturday 12th October: Saracens v Harlequins, Allianz Park, kick-off: 15:00

Friday 31st January – Sunday 2nd February: Semi Final 1 (TBC)

Friday 7th February – Sunday 9th February: Semi-Final 2 (TBC)

Sunday 15th March – Final (TBC)

I like this. Makes me wonder whether this should be the structure of the season every season. I know it means a longer summer of non-competitive rugby but it removes 3 preseason games from the congested calendar and gives some meaning to those first few ("preseason") games without them needing to be ruthlessly attritional. The only thing going for the traditional preseason games at the moment is that teams can have as many subs on the bench as they want. In theory, I don't see why they couldn't introduce different rules in the group stages of the Prem Cup around how many bench players you can select to make it more of an ease-in though...

Well, it's nice to have the domestic fixtures sorted and confirmation that the Cup will be the pre-season. I cannot wait!!!!

I thought there might be a game (or two) in August because it's a long pre-season for the boys.

However, I really like the idea that this tournament is a build up to the league. As with the Nations League in football, it gives a meaningful edge to what would otherwise be friendlies. Also, having the games at the beginning means that players should really want to be involved, as opposed to having them later in the season when players might prefer a break!!!

I think that the European fixtures are out in mid-August. I am very excited about them! And the new kit!!!
Phew!!!
Time for a lie down!!!

So the rematch with Ealing is out the window then this year which was agreed last year  ???


''As part of the agreement for this match, Harlequins will head to Vallis Way the following year ahead of the 2019/20 campaign in what will be an exciting occasion for the club.''

Are any of the other Prem teams holding preseason fixtures prior to the Prem Cup? If not, could be that this is all part of an RPA player welfare agreement and therefore we had no choice...?