Dear Club,
You are receiving the following communication as you hold one of the roles listed below within your club:
– Honorary Secretary
– Youth Contact (12–18)
– Fixture Secretary
All future mass communications regarding this competition will be directed to the contact who completed the form.
We are pleased to confirm that the application process for the 2026/27 RFU National Boys’ Under 18s Cup is now open. All teams are invited to submit an entry form to confirm their participation in the upcoming season.
Important Information:
– Please complete the form in full. You will NOT receive a separate confirmation email, but a copy of your submission will be sent to you (ensure you tick the box to receive it – this serves as your proof of entry).
– Before entering, review the fixture dates below. These dates are set within the National Age Grade Competition Calendar, and there will be limited flexibility. If your local competition organiser has scheduled matches on these dates, please speak to them directly. National Cup fixtures take priority.
Round Dates – 2026/27 Season:
– Round 1: 4 October 2026
– Round 2: 15 November 2026
– Round 3: 13 December 2026
– Round 4: 7 March 2027
– Quarter-Finals: 21 March 2027
– Semi-Finals: 18 April 2027
– Final: 9 May 2027 (TBC)
Entry Form: Link in email, the person completing the form should ideally be the primary contact during the season.
Entry Deadline:
Sunday 12 July 2026 at 23:59
As in previous years, entries are capped at 128 teams. We will work with Constituent Bodies (counties) to ensure a geographical spread and assess suitability for the competition. The format remains a straight knockout, comprising four rounds, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and a final.
Entry Criteria:
– Open to all Clubs in England, the Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man.
– Only one team per Club may enter.
– Players must be under 18 as of 31 August 2026.
– All players must be registered on the RFU GMS system by 23:59 on Friday 13 November 2026.
Please note that meeting the eligibility criteria does not guarantee entry. We will communicate the outcome to all applicants in due course.
Additional Information:
– 2026/27 competition regulations will be shared with the first-round draw.
– All teams will use Electronic Match Cards (EMC) during the season.
For any questions, please contact us at: competitions-development@rfu.com
Kind regards,
The Competitions Team
