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The two clubs will play for the Cup on March 12, 2010 in Newark, DE.
As UD and Wilmington are the only rugby clubs in Delaware, it was decided that a game between the two was necessary to decide who was the best team in the state.
It is hoped that the game will become an annual fixture.
Both teams will enter the game on the back of some strong performances in the fall. UD (8-0) won the Mid-Atlantic Premier League, while Wilmington (5-1) topped the MARFU DII North Division.
The Cup has been sponsored by Kildare's Irish Bar and Restaurant in Newark, DE. Kildare's also sponsors the Wilmington team.
UD alum and current Wilmington player Kevin Barry was the man behind the initiative. Barry says he got the idea when the UD football team recently agreed to play for the First State Cup against Delaware State.
"I thought the idea of an interstate rivalry was fun,” says Barry. “I mentioned it to a few of the old boys on the team and they said that UD and Wilmington used to play for a Cup in the past, so I decided to revive it.
"The benefits for both teams are obvious. Firstly we can both play in a tough, competitive game as part of our respective playoff preparations. Longer term it is important to strengthen the ties between the two clubs, as it has been a mutually beneficial relationship.
“In order for both programs to continue developing, there will be a certain reliance on one another and this game is a great way of solidifying the connection."
Barry, originally from Ireland, also believes that the lack of competitive games is one thing that is hampering the development of quality players in the US.
"The strangest thing I have found with playing rugby in the US is that teams effectively only play in one competition; their local league to try and get into the playoffs for nationals.
"The problem is that if a team loses their first few games, they have probably blown their chances of winning anything for the year.
“It could be the end of September and a team would know that it will not be until next fall that they will have a chance to win a trophy again. Sure, they will play a spring season, but these will be friendlies and will lack the intensity of a game where something is on the line.
“In Ireland, every team is entered into several knockout Cups, so even if you are not doing so well in your league, you know that these Cups will give you a clean slate and an opportunity to win something.
"Knockout Cups would be a great addition to the US regular season. At the very least, it would expose more players to the do-or-die nature of playoff games, which can only be a good thing. It would certainly help increase the number of games.
“US players play far fewer games than amateur rugby players elsewhere, and I think it is another thing hampering player development in this country."
