LAST week’s TRP lists a bewildering array of cup, shield, bowl and plate competitions for grassroots clubs. Some are Round 1 ties in a knock-out format, some are already quarter-finals (Regional 1 Bowl), while some clubs are grouped in pools. The RFU’s aim seems to be to give as many players in community rugby as possible something to end the season with, rather than giving the best of them the incentive to try for their county team playing in a meaningful and logical formatted county stage. The problem with most cup competition formats is that, by definition, half ...