Contents

WORTHINGTON MID DISTRICT RU CUP 2026-27 - COMPETITION RULES

1. Description and Form
2. Competition Format
3. Eligibility to Participate
4. Permits and Team Sheets
5. Replacements and Front Row Regulations
6. Rolling Substitutions
7. Entry Conditions, Organisation and Officials
8. Match Regulations, Venues and Dates
9. Declaration of Winners
10. Notification, Postponed Matches, Protests and Appeals
11. Sanctions, Accounting and Committee Authority

 

1. Description and Form

Description: The competition shall be known as the Worthington Mid District Rugby Union Cup.
Administration: The competition shall be organised and administered by the Mid District Rugby Union (MDRU) through
its Competition Management Committee, referred to in these Rules as the Committee.
Form: For 2026-27, the Premiership, Championship, Division One, Division Two, Division Three, Division Four and
Women's competitions shall continue to use the existing league-based qualification system. Divisions Five and Six shall
combine into one knockout cup competition.
Where qualification is based on league results, designated WRU National League fixtures between relevant Mid District
clubs shall determine qualification for the latter stages.
The competition is designed to support competitive rugby throughout the District, provide
meaningful fixtures and create a clear, fair and equitable route to Finals at every level.
The Committee may make necessary administrative adjustments where exceptional circumstances affect the operation of a competition, provided affected clubs are notified as soon as reasonably possible.


2. Competition Format

AGREED 2026-27 FORMAT: The current league-based qualification system will continue for all competitions except Divisions Five and Six, which will combine to form a single knockout cup.

Premiership Cup
Bargoed, Beddau, Merthyr, Pontypridd, Ystrad Rhondda

Championship Cup 

Division One Cup

Division Two Cup

Division Three Cup

Division Four Cup

Division Five Cup

Division Six Cup

Women's Cup

Women's Trophy

 

League-based competitions
For the Premiership, Championship, Divisions One to Four and Women's competitions, qualification shall continue to be
based on the current Mid District league system. Only results from the designated qualifying fixtures relevant to each
competition shall count towards the Mid District qualification table.

Qualification where a club has not participated in qualifying fixtures -

Where a league-based competition contains a club that has not participated in the designated qualifying fixtures because
of the structure of its WRU league, that club shall not automatically progress directly to the Final.
• the leading eligible club from the qualifying section shall progress directly to the Final;
• the runner-up from the qualifying section shall play the club that has not participated in the qualifying fixtures;
• the runner-up from the qualifying section shall have home advantage in that play-off; and
• the winner of the play-off shall progress to the Final.
The play-off provision applies only where required by the structure of a league-based competition. It does not apply to the Division Five & Six Knockout Cup.

Division Five & Six Knockout Cup
For 2026-27, all eligible Mid District clubs competing in WRU Divisions Five and Six shall enter one combined knockout
competition. Qualification shall be determined solely by the results of the knockout ties.The MDRU shall conduct or approve the draw for each round. The published draw shall identify the home club for each
tie unless the Committee determines otherwise. Winners shall progress to the next round until two clubs remain to
contest the Final.

Qualification tables
For all league-based competitions, the MDRU shall maintain a competition table based solely upon the designated
qualifying results between relevant participating Mid District clubs. Unless otherwise notified, league points shall be
awarded in accordance with applicable WRU competition regulations.
Where clubs finish level on competition points, positions shall be determined in the following order:
• number of wins;
• points difference;
• tries scored;
• points scored;
• results between the clubs concerned;
• where still level, by a method determined by the Committee.



3. Eligibility to Participate

Clubs
• All eligible Mid District clubs participating within the relevant WRU National League structure may participate, provided
the club has not been excluded by the MDRU.

• Participating clubs are responsible for fielding the minimum number of eligible players required under the Laws and
applicable WRU regulations.

• Entry into the competition constitutes acceptance of these Rules.

Players
• No player may represent a club unless properly registered with that club, or registered with a Regional Academy with
appropriate permission.
• Suspended or otherwise ineligible players shall not participate.
• Clubs are responsible for ensuring every player named on the team sheet is properly registered and eligible.
• Any player who has suffered or is suspected of having suffered concussion must comply fully with current WRU
concussion and graduated return-to-play requirements. Player welfare takes precedence.

Registration deadline
Unless otherwise determined by the WRU or Committee, no player shall be eligible for the latter stages if transferred or
registered after 11.59pm on 31 January 2027, except where an exemption permitted under WRU regulations applies.
Where eligibility is in doubt, clarification must be sought before the player takes part.

 

4. Permits and Team Sheets

Permits may only be used in accordance with these Rules and applicable WRU regulations. The system is intended to
help clubs fulfil fixtures where genuine shortages exist and must not be used to artificially strengthen a team.
• Regional Academy permits must be granted by the appropriate Regional Academy Manager or authorised
representative and recorded with the MDRU.

• Emergency permits may be considered for specialist positions including prop, hooker and scrum-half.
• Unless specifically authorised, no more than three permitted players may be included in a match-day squad.
• A maximum of one Regional Academy player may be permitted.
• Clubs should, wherever practicable, give selection priority to their own registered players.
• The Committee may refuse or withdraw permission where the permit system is being used contrary to the spirit or
integrity of the competition.

Divisional permits
Where divisional permits are required, players should ordinarily be obtained from clubs at the same or a lower level than
the club seeking the permit. Additional divisional arrangements may be published before the competition begins.

Athletic XV clubs
Where a club has an Athletic XV participating within the National League structure, permits between that side and the
First XV must comply with applicable WRU and competition regulations.

Team sheets
Two completed team sheets shall be submitted to the referee before every match and must clearly identify:
• all starting players and replacements;
• any permitted players;
• tight-head and loose-head prop replacements;
• the team captain;
• the Head Coach; and
• the Team Manager.

Following the match, completed team sheets must be submitted in the manner and within the timescale specified by the
MDRU. Clubs are responsible for the accuracy of all information entered.

 

5. Replacements and Front Row Regulations

Up to eight replacements may be named in accordance with applicable WRU regulations. Each club must comply with
current requirements for suitably trained and experienced front-row players.
Uncontested scrums
• Where a team cannot field a suitably trained and experienced front row, the referee may order uncontested scrums in
accordance with the Laws and WRU regulations.
• Where appropriate, the offending team may be required to reduce its playing numbers.
• A club must not deliberately manipulate front-row availability to gain a competitive advantage.
• The Committee may investigate deliberate or negligent creation of uncontested scrums and impose an appropriate
sanction.
• The referee shall record circumstances involving uncontested scrums in the match report.

6. Rolling Substitutions

Rolling substitutions shall be permitted from Championship level and below, subject to applicable WRU regulations.
Unless superseded by WRU regulations, the following maximum player interchanges shall apply:

Up to 3 replacements - 8 changes
4 replacements - 9 changes
5 replacements - 10 changes
6 or more replacements - 12 changes

• After the maximum number of interchanges is reached, no further replacement, substitution or interchange is permitted
except where expressly allowed under the Laws or WRU regulations.
• Interchanges may take place only during a stoppage, with the referee's permission and in accordance with applicable
regulations.
• A player permanently removed following suspected concussion shall not return.
• Where these Rules conflict with the Laws of the Game or current WRU regulations, those Laws or regulations take
precedence.

 

7. Entry Conditions, Organisation and Officials

Entry conditions
All clubs entering or participating agree to comply with these Rules. A club withdrawing after confirming participation may
be sanctioned. Previous withdrawals or unfulfilled fixtures may be considered when accepting future entries.

Responsibility for organisation
The MDRU shall organise play-offs, knockout rounds where applicable, semi-finals, Finals and other fixtures specifically
designated as MDRU-organised matches. The MDRU shall determine venue, kick-off time, admission, match officials and
match-day administration.

Match officials
Referees shall be appointed through the appropriate WRU refereeing structure. Where practicable and subject to
availability, Assistant Referees shall be appointed for play-offs, knockout latter stages, semi-finals and Finals.

8. Match Regulations, Venues and Dates

Duration of play
Each senior match shall normally consist of 80 minutes, divided into two halves of 40 minutes, together with any
additional time permitted by the referee. Half-time shall not exceed 10 minutes unless otherwise permitted. The referee is
the sole judge of time.

Venue
League-based play-offs, knockout ties, semi-finals and Finals shall be played at venues determined in accordance with
the published competition format. In the Division Five & Six Knockout Cup, the club drawn at home shall host the tie
unless otherwise directed by the Committee. Finals shall be played at grounds selected by the MDRU.

Dates for rounds
Fixtures must be played on dates designated by the MDRU unless prior approval for an alternative date has been
granted. Final, play-off, knockout and semi-final dates shall be published separately and, once published, form part of
these Rules.

Fixture fulfilment
Clubs are expected to make every reasonable effort to fulfil all Mid District competition fixtures. A fixture shall not be
postponed merely because a club considers itself unable to field its strongest available side.
• Requests for postponement must be submitted as soon as the circumstances become known.
• Where a fixture cannot be played because of adverse weather, ground conditions or another circumstance outside the
reasonable control of the clubs, the Committee shall determine whether it is rearranged, declared void or otherwise
determined for qualification purposes.
• Where a club fails to fulfil a fixture for avoidable reasons or without adequate justification, the Committee may award
the fixture to the opposition, remove competition points where applicable, exclude the club, impose an appropriate
financial/administrative sanction, or another proportionate sanction.
• Repeated non-fulfilment may be considered when determining eligibility for future competitions.


9. Declaration of Winners

The winner of a knockout, play-off, semi-final or Final shall be the club scoring the greater number of points. Where
scores are level at the end of normal time, the winner shall be determined in the following order:
• the club scoring the greater number of tries;
• if still equal, the club scoring the greater number of converted tries;
• if still equal and competition arrangements permit, extra time of 20 minutes, consisting of 10 minutes each way;
• if still level following extra time, by the method prescribed by the Committee for that stage.
For a Final, where teams cannot be separated following the prescribed method, the Committee may declare the Final
drawn and the Cup may be held jointly for six months by each club. The determining method shall be communicated
before the relevant knockout fixture wherever practicable.

 

10. Notification, Postponed Matches, Protests and Appeals

Notification of results
The appointed match official or nominated club official shall notify the MDRU of the result as soon as reasonably
practicable. Required team sheets and match documentation must be submitted within the specified timescale.

Postponed matches
Where a match is postponed because of adverse weather or ground conditions, the home club must notify the opposition,
referee, MDRU and any other relevant official as soon as the postponement is confirmed. The Committee shall determine
the rearranged date.

Abandoned matches
Where a fixture is abandoned before full time, the referee shall submit a report. Where the score difference is 30 points
or more, the Committee may allow the result to stand. Where the difference is 29 points or fewer, the fixture may be
replayed. The Committee retains discretion after considering the time, score, circumstances, referee's report and integrity
of the competition.

Protests and disputes
Except for matters falling under MDRU Disciplinary Regulations, the Committee shall determine any protest or dispute
arising from the competition or interpretation of these Rules.
• A protest must be submitted in writing to the MDRU Secretary within 48 hours of the conclusion of the fixture.
• It must be accompanied by the prescribed protest fee, currently £100.
• The fee may be refunded at the Committee's discretion.
• No protest outside the 48-hour period shall ordinarily be considered unless exceptional circumstances are established.

Appeals
• An appeal must be submitted in writing to the MDRU Secretary within 48 hours of notification of the decision.
• It must be accompanied by the prescribed appeal fee, currently £100, which may be refunded at the discretion of the
appeal body.
• An appeal shall be considered by a panel appointed by the MDRU Management Committee.
• No member directly involved in the original decision shall vote on the appeal.
• The decision of the appeal panel shall be final, subject to any overriding right of appeal under applicable WRU
regulations.

11. Sanctions, Accounting and Committee Authority

Sanctions
The Committee may impose an appropriate sanction where a club breaches these Rules, fields an ineligible player,
provides false or misleading team-sheet information, fails without adequate reason to fulfil a fixture, withdraws, repeatedly
fails administrative requirements, or acts in a manner detrimental to the integrity of the competition.
Possible sanctions may include:
• a warning;
• loss of competition points where applicable;
• forfeiture of a fixture;
• disqualification from the current competition;
• exclusion from future Mid District competitions for a specified period;
• a financial sanction where permitted;
• another proportionate sanction considered appropriate.
Before imposing a significant sanction, the Committee shall give the club a reasonable opportunity to provide an
explanation. The Committee may suspend, reduce or vary a sanction where mitigating circumstances justify doing so.

Withdrawals
A club withdrawing must notify the MDRU in writing at the earliest opportunity. Where withdrawal occurs after qualifying
fixtures or knockout rounds have commenced, the Committee shall determine the treatment of results already played,
competition points where applicable, qualification positions and subsequent fixtures, with fairness and integrity as the
primary objective. A club withdrawing in two consecutive seasons may be excluded for a period considered
appropriate.

Accounting issues
Final gate receipts
Winning club Share 45%
Runner-up Share 35%
Mid District Rugby Union share 20%

There shall be no separate prize money unless specifically announced. Admission charges for play-offs, knockout ties where applicable,semi-finals and Finals shall be determined by the MDRU.

 

11. Committee Authority

The Competition Management Committee shall have authority to administer and interpret these Rules. It may determine
any matter that:
• is not expressly provided for within these Rules;
• arises because of exceptional circumstances;
• results from changes to WRU competition structures or regulations; or
• requires a decision to protect the fairness, integrity or practical operation of the competition.
In exercising this discretion, the Committee shall act reasonably and consistently and, wherever practicable, give affected
clubs an opportunity to make representations.
No club shall gain an unfair competitive advantage because of an omission, ambiguity or unforeseen circumstance within these Rules.
Where these Rules conflict with the Laws of the Game or mandatory WRU regulations, the relevant World Rugby or WRU
regulation shall take precedence. The Committee may issue supplementary competition instructions during the season
where reasonably necessary, provided participating clubs are notified.

GUIDING PRINCIPLE
The Worthington Mid District Rugby Union Cup exists to provide meaningful competitive rugby for clubs throughout the District and a fair route to Finals at every level.
All participating clubs, players and officials are expected to support the competition in that spirit.