2025–26 PREM Rugby Cup
| 2025–26 PREM Rugby Cup | |
|---|---|
| Countries |  England |
| Number of teams | 10 |
| Date | 12 September 2025 – March 2026 |
| Matches played | 20 |
| Tries scored | 137 (average 6.9 per match) |
| Top point scorer | Louie Johnson (Saracens) – 25 points |
| Top try scorer | Jack Bracken (Saracens) – 4 tries |
| Official website | |
| www | |
The 2025–26 PREM Rugby Cup will be the 53rd season of England's national rugby union cup competition and the first in two season without clubs from the second tier, Champ Rugby.[1][2][3] Bath are the reigning champions.[1][3]
Competition format
[edit]The format will feature all ten clubs from the 2025–26 Premiership Rugby. The ten teams will be divided into two pools, each made up of five teams, playing eight games (four home, and four away) over ten rounds. The top two teams from each pool will progress to the semi-finals, with the final being held one week after the semi-finals.[1][3] After two seasons, the Champ Rugby clubs withdrew in protest, because they were not made equal partners in the development of the competition.[2]
Teams
[edit]All ten clubs from 2025–26 Premiership Rugby will compete.
Pools
[edit]Each team will play home and away matches against the other teams in the pool.
League points follow normal rules, 4 for a win, 2 for a draw, 0 for a loss, and bonus points for 4 tries or more and/or losing by 7 or less match points.
- On completion of the pool stage, each club will be ranked within its pool according to the following criteria:[4]
- The club with the greater number of league points will be ranked higher.
- If league points are equal, the club with the most wins will be ranked higher.
- If the number of wins is equal, the club with the superior points difference (points for minus points against) will be ranked higher.
- If the points difference is equal, the club with the greater number of points scored will be ranked higher.
- If points scored are equal, the club with the greater number of tries will be ranked higher.
- If the number of tries is equal, the club with the fewest red cards will be ranked higher.
- If the number of red cards is equal, the club that scored more points in the match between the tied clubs will be ranked higher.
- If that match was also tied on points, the tournament director will conduct a draw between the tied clubs, with the first club drawn deemed the higher‑ranked.
Pool A
[edit]| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | TF | TA | TB | LB | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gloucester | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 101 | 100 | +1 | 15 | 16 | 3 | 0 | 15 | Qualifies for play-offs |
| 2 | Sale Sharks | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 86 | 67 | +19 | 13 | 10 | 3 | 1 | 12 | |
| 3 | Bath | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 100 | 61 | +39 | 16 | 9 | 2 | 1 | 11 | |
| 4 | Exeter Chiefs | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 63 | 94 | −31 | 9 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 8 | |
| 5 | Bristol Bears | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 91 | 119 | −28 | 14 | 18 | 1 | 1 | 6 |
Updated to match(es) played on 22 November 2025. Source: PREM Rugby[4]
Round 1
[edit]| 12 September 2025 19:30 |
| (1 BP) Gloucester | 29–15 | Exeter Chiefs |
| Try: Ludlow 21' c Llewellyn 36' c Edwards-Giraud 55' m Innard 62' c Con: Byrne (3/4) 21', 37', 63' Pen: Barton (1/1) 75' | Report[5] | Try: Pearson 12' m Tuima 33' m Roots 40+1' m |
| Kingsholm |
| 13 September 2025 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Sale Sharks | 24–15 | Bristol Bears |
| Try: O'Flaherty 27' m Jibulu 49' c Hanson 53' c Davies 75' m Con: Curtis (2/4) 50', 54' | Report[6] | Try: Jenkins 24' c Carrington 40' m Con: MacGinty (1/2) 24' Pen: MacGinty (1/1) 70' |
| CorpAcq Stadium Referee: Matthew Carley |
| Bye/s: Bath |
Round 2
[edit]| 19 September 2025 19:30 |
| (1 BP) Gloucester | 24–40 | Bristol Bears (1 BP) |
| Try: W. Knight 3' m M. Knight 57' c Davies 63' c Caven 74' m Con: Barton (2/4) 58', 63' | Report[7] | Try: Oghre (2) 12' m, 41' c Rees-Zammit 20' c Grahamslaw 25' c Owen 33' c Pearce 51' c Con: MacGinty (3/4) 22', 26', 34' Worsley (2/2) 42' c, 52' |
| Kingsholm |
| 20 September 2025 15:05 |
| Bath | 14–23 | Exeter Chiefs |
| Try: Cowan 31' c Hennessey 63' c Con: Linegar (2/2) 32', 64' | Report[8] | Try: John 58' m Dweba 75' m Varney 78' c Con: Slade (1/3) 79' Pen: Slade (2/2) 3', 34' |
| Recreation Ground Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys |
| Bye/s: Sale Sharks |
Round 3
[edit]| 31 October 2025 19:45 |
| Bristol Bears | 19–49 | Bath (1 BP) |
| Try: Gwilliam (2) 11' m, 64' c Bevan 45' c Con: Weston (2/3) 46', 64' | Report[9] | Try: Tuipulotu (2) 14' c, 60' c Sela 17' c Green 38' c Griffin (2) 41' c, 55' c Butt 72' c Con: de Glanville (7/7) 15', 17', 39', 42', 55', 61', 73' |
| Ashton Gate Referee: Harry Walbaum |
| 2 November 2025 15:00 |
| (2 BP) Sale Sharks | 28–29 | Gloucester (1 BP) |
| Try: Wilson 15' c Roberts 36' c Harper 56' c Thomas 80+2' c Con: Curtis (4/4) 16', 37', 37', 80+3' | Report[10] | Try: James (2) 5' c, 75' m Cotgreave 29' c Trenholm 39' c Con: Barton (3/4) 6', 30', 40' Pen: Barton (1/1) 70' |
| CorpAcq Stadium Referee: Sara Cox |
| Bye/s: Exeter Chiefs |
Round 4
[edit]| 14 November 2025 19:30 |
| Gloucester | 19–17 | Bath (1 BP) |
| Try: Hathaway 13' c Freeman-Price 27' c W. Knight 40+2' m Con: Barton (2/3) 15', 28' | Report[11] | Try: Emens 2' c Staddon 20' m Offiah 55' m Con: Linegar (1/3) 3' |
| Kingsholm Referee: Hamish Grant |
| 14 November 2025 19:45 |
| (1 BP) Sale Sharks | 34–3 | Exeter Chiefs |
| Try: Dugdale (2) 33' m, 42' c Caine 53' c McElroy 61' c O'Flaherty 65' m Con: R. du Preez (3/5) 43', 54', 62' Pen: R. du Preez (1/1) 29' | Report[12] | Pen: Coen (1/1) 23' |
| CorpAcq Stadium Referee: Harry Walbaum |
| Bye/s: Bristol Bears |
Round 5
[edit]| 22 November 2025 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Bath | 20–0 | Sale Sharks |
| Try: Frost 2' m de Glanville 24' m Green 34' m Butt 69' m | Report[13] |
| Recreation Ground Referee: Joe James |
| 22 November 2025 15:00 |
| Exeter Chiefs | 22–17 | Bristol Bears (1 BP) |
| Try: Rigg 2' c Gulley 30' m Ridl 58' c Con: Haydon-Wood (2/3) 3', 59' Pen: Haydon-Wood (1/1) 66' | Report[14] | Try: Boshoff (2) 34' c, 72' c Con: Worsley (2/2) 35', 73' Pen: Worsley (1/1) 38' |
| Sandy Park Referee: Richard Gordon |
| Bye/s: Gloucester |
Round 6
[edit]| Bye/s: Bath |
Round 7
[edit]| Bye/s: Gloucester |
Pool B
[edit]| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | TF | TA | TB | LB | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leicester Tigers | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 89 | 54 | +35 | 13 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 18 | Qualifies for play-offs |
| 2 | Saracens | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 130 | 90 | +40 | 21 | 14 | 3 | 0 | 11 | |
| 3 | Newcastle Red Bulls | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 65 | 81 | −16 | 10 | 12 | 2 | 1 | 11 | |
| 4 | Northampton Saints | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 111 | 116 | −5 | 16 | 18 | 2 | 0 | 10 | |
| 5 | Harlequins | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 69 | 123 | −54 | 11 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Updated to match(es) played on 22 November 2025. Source: PREM Rugby[4]
Round 1
[edit]| 12 September 2025 19:45 |
| (1 BP) Newcastle Red Bulls | 26–14 | Harlequins |
| Try: McGuigan 15' c McCallum 40+1' c Spencer 53' c Hearle 62' c Con: Connon (3/4) 16', 40+1', 54' | Report[15] | Try: Bradley 35' c Riley 67' c Con: Benson (1/1) 36' c Kerr (1/1) 67' |
| Kingston Park Referee: George Selwood |
| 13 September 2025 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Leicester Tigers | 20–7 | Saracens |
| Try: Blamire (2) 31' m, 52' m Ilione 63' m Wand 71' m | Report[16] | Try: Michelow 3' c Con: Johnson (1/1) 4' |
| Mattioli Woods Welford Road |
| Bye/s: Northampton Saints |
Round 2
[edit]| 19 September 2025 19:30 |
| (1 BP) Saracens | 34–49 | Northampton Saints (1 BP) |
| Try: Segun (2) 8' c, 39' c Malins 18' m J. Bracken (2) 45' c, 55' m Con: Johnson (3/5) 9', 40', 46' Pen: Johnson (1/1) 6' | Report[17] | Try: Chick (3) 3' c, 31' c, 37' c van der Mescht 21' c Wright 49' c Ramm (2) 56' c, 78' c Con: Belleau (7/7) 4', 22', 32', 38', 50', 57', 79' |
| StoneX Stadium Referee: Adam Leal |
| 19 September 2025 19:45 |
| Harlequins | 17–25 | Leicester Tigers |
| Try: Els 4' m Walker (2) 44' m, 50' c Con: Evans (1/3) 51' c | Report[18] | Try: Pearson 13' c Clare 37' c Crowley 66' m Con: Titcombe (2/2) 13', 37' Pen: Titcombe (1/2) 23' Woodward (1/1) 57' |
| Twickenham Stoop Referee: Harry Walbaum |
| Bye/s: Newcastle Red Bulls |
Round 3
[edit]| 31 October 2025 19:45 |
| (1 BP) Newcastle Red Bulls | 8–10 | Leicester Tigers |
| Try: Fletcher 6' m Pen: Connon (1/1) 67' | Report[19] | Try: Pearson 48' c Con: Bailey (1/1) 49' Pen: Bailey (1/1) 73' |
| Kingston Park Referee: Joe James |
| 1 November 2025 17:30 |
| (1 BP) Northampton Saints | 26–17 | Harlequins |
| Try: Rowe 1' m Graham 34' c Brown 43' c Pater 45' c Con: Belleau (3/3) 34', 44', 46' | Report[20] | Try: Cleaves 15' m Hyde 40+2' m Driscoll 75' c Con: Slevin (1/1) 75' |
| Franklin's Gardens Referee: Alex Thomas |
| Bye/s: Saracens |
Round 4
[edit]| 15 November 2025 13:00 |
| Northampton Saints | 14–31 | Newcastle Red Bulls (1 BP) |
| Try: Sleightholme 32' c Caqusau 37' c Con: Belleau (2/2) 33', 37' | Report[21] | Try: Moore (3) 23' m, 52' c, 66' c Hutchison 55' m Lockwood 63' c Con: Connon (3/5) 53', 64', 67' |
| Franklin's Gardens Referee: Jamie Parr |
| 16 November 2025 15:00 |
| Harlequins | 21–46 | Saracens (1 BP) |
| Try: Driscoll 8' c Murray 44' c Staples 66' c Con: Slevin (3/3) 9', 45', 67' | Report[22] | Try: Jackson (2) 2' m, 14' m J. Bracken (2) 29' c, 35' m Hartley 32' c Spink 50' c Clarke 60' m Keylock 77' m Con: Johnson (3/8) 30', 33', 51' |
| Twickenham Stoop Referee: George Selwood |
| Bye/s: Leicester Tigers |
Round 5
[edit]| 21 November 2025 19:30 |
| (1 BP) Leicester Tigers | 34–22 | Northampton Saints |
| Try: Moro (2) 1' c, 40' c Whiteley 31' m Wand 57' c Allan 76' m Con: Searle (3/5) 2', 40+1', 58' Pen: Searle (1/1) 66' | Report[23] | Try: van der Mescht (2) 20' m, 26' c Scola 80+1' c Con: Furbank (1/2) 27' Pater (1/1) 80+2' Drop: Furbank (1/1) 34' |
| Mattioli Woods Welford Road |
| 22 November 2025 14:00 |
| (1 BP) Saracens | 43–0 | Newcastle Red Bulls |
| Try: Jackson 23' m Davidson 27' c Adegbemile 39' c Michelow 47' m C. Bracken 51' c van Zyl 65' c Hall 73' m Con: Johnson (4/7) 28', 40', 52', 66' | Report[24] |
| StoneX Stadium Referee: Harry Walbaum |
| Bye/s: Harlequins |
Round 6
[edit]| Bye/s: Harlequins |
Round 7
[edit]| Bye/s: Northampton Saints |
Individual statistics
[edit]
Top points scorers[edit]
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Top try scorers[edit]
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References
[edit]- ^ a b c "PREM Rugby | PREM Rugby Cup 2025/26: Fixtures released". PREM Rugby. 29 July 2025. Retrieved 29 July 2025.
- ^ a b Lowe, Alex (2 March 2025). "Championship clubs to withdraw from Premiership Cup in protest". The Times. Retrieved 29 July 2025.
- ^ a b c Newcombe, Jon (29 July 2025). "New PREM Rugby Cup format and fixtures revealed". Rugby Pass. Retrieved 29 July 2025.
- ^ a b c "PREM RUGBY CUP | Standings". Premiership Rugby. Retrieved 30 July 2025.
- ^ "Gloucester Rugby vs Exeter Chiefs | 12 September 2025". Premiership Rugby. Archived from the original on 14 September 2025. Retrieved 14 September 2025.
- ^ "Sale Sharks vs Bristol Bears | 13 September 2025". Premiership Rugby. Archived from the original on 14 September 2025. Retrieved 14 September 2025.
- ^ "Gloucester Rugby vs Bristol Bears | 19 September 2025". Premiership Rugby. Archived from the original on 24 September 2025. Retrieved 24 September 2025.
- ^ "Bath Rugby vs Exeter Chiefs | 20 September 2025". Premiership Rugby. Archived from the original on 24 September 2025. Retrieved 24 September 2025.
- ^ "Bristol Bears vs Bath Rugby | 31 October 2025". Premiership Rugby. 31 October 2025. Retrieved 16 November 2025.
- ^ "Sale Sharks vs Gloucester Rugby | 2 November 2025". Premiership Rugby. 31 October 2025. Retrieved 16 November 2025.
- ^ "Gloucester Rugby vs Bath Rugby | 14 November 2025". Premiership Rugby. 14 November 2025. Retrieved 16 November 2025.
- ^ "Sale Sharks vs Exeter Chiefs | 14 November 2025". Premiership Rugby. 13 November 2025. Retrieved 16 November 2025.
- ^ "Bath vs Sale Sharks | 22 November 2025". Premiership Rugby. 22 November 2025. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
- ^ "Exeter Chiefs vs Bristol Bears | 22 November 2025". Premiership Rugby. 22 November 2025. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
- ^ "Newcastle Red Bulls vs Harlequins | 12 September 2025". Premiership Rugby. Archived from the original on 14 September 2025. Retrieved 14 September 2025.
- ^ "Leicester Tigers vs Saracens | 13 September 2025". Premiership Rugby. Archived from the original on 14 September 2025. Retrieved 14 September 2025.
- ^ "Saracens vs Northampton Saints | 19 September 2025". Premiership Rugby. Archived from the original on 24 September 2025. Retrieved 24 September 2025.
- ^ "Harlequins vs Leicester Tigers | 19 September 2025". Premiership Rugby. Archived from the original on 24 September 2025. Retrieved 24 September 2025.
- ^ "Newcastle Red Bulls vs Leicester Tigers | 31 October 2025". Premiership Rugby. 31 October 2025. Retrieved 16 November 2025.
- ^ "Northampton Saints vs Harlequins | 1 November 2025". Premiership Rugby. 1 November 2025. Retrieved 16 November 2025.
- ^ "Northampton Saints vs Newcastle Red Bulls | 15 November 2025". Premiership Rugby. 13 November 2025. Retrieved 16 November 2025.
- ^ "Harlequins vs Saracens | 16 November 2025". Premiership Rugby. 16 November 2025. Retrieved 16 November 2025.
- ^ "Leicester Tigers vs Northampton Saints | 21 November 2025". Premiership Rugby. 21 November 2025. Retrieved 21 November 2025.
- ^ "Saracens vs Newcastle Red Bulls | 22 November 2025". Premiership Rugby. 22 November 2025. Retrieved 22 November 2025.