Rugby: Ramsey withdraws from Manx cup finals

Club says decision is down to 'significant concerns regarding player safety'

Ramsey Rugby Club has withdrawn from the remainder of this year's Manx Cup and Manx Plate competitions.

The northern side issued a statement last night (23 April) saying the decision is 'driven by significant concerns regarding player safety'.

This announcement was made before Ramsey's eventual 29-27 Manx Cup semi-final win over Vagabonds at Mooragh Park on Wednesday evening.

The club says this decision was being made regardless of yesterday's result, adding it hopes this move will 'serve as a catalyst' aimed at addressing what it calls 'fundamental issues of trust and safety in the domestic game.'

You can read the full statement from Ramsey Rugby Club on the matter below:

"Ramsey RUFC wishes to formally announce that, irrespective of the result of this evening's game against Vagabonds Rugby Club, it has reached the decision to withdraw from participating in the Manx Cup and Manx Plate Finals Day, Saturday 3rd May 2025.

"This difficult decision has been made with the full unity and support of the club, driven by significant concerns regarding player safety.

"Our concerns come from a sizeable disparity in playing levels and experience within the competition structure. This situation, we believe, poses unacceptable risks and would typically not occur in standard English League & Cup competitions.

"While we understand the challenges posed by a smaller pool of teams on the Island, the current format allows players consistently competing at a higher level to face players with considerably less experience and exposure to that level of competitive rugby.

"Assurances were given at the start of the competition in respect of the use of development and fringe players being fielded to provide a more balanced and safer playing environment. These seem to have regrettable fallen by the wayside.

"This decision was not reached lightly and comes and comes after careful consideration of the welfare of our players. We believe that withdrawing is a necessary step to underscore the seriousness of our concerns and to protect our players from potential injury.

"We hope that this action will serve as a catalyst for constructive dialogue aimed at addressing these fundamental issues of trust and safety within the domestic game. We remain committed to Manx rugby and aspire to see improvements that would allow us to confidently and safely compete in the Manx Cup again in future years."

Organisers of the Manx Cup and Manx Plate are now expected to discuss possible ways forward for the Manx Cup and Manx Plate finals currently scheduled for next weekend.

The Manx Executive Committee has also been contacted for comment.