A modern, unique trophy has been digitally unveiled by the United Rugby Championship (URC), with it set to be awarded on the 18th June to the winners of the URC Grand Final.
In 2021, the league became the United Rugby Championship when four teams from South Africa joined the competition. It is one of three major professional leagues in Europe, as well as the French Top 14 and the English Premiership.
The trophy is called the Array, and it has been designed by Bath-based design agency Matter and created by Thomas Lyte – the master silversmith responsible for the making of the FA Cup, the Ryder Cup and the Rugby World Cup. A 3D digital visual has been released to give fans the first glimpse of the Array. The trophy appears to be a contemporary re-brand of a traditional cup, which reflects the diversity of the URC.
The league has said that during the early stages of the design process, a number of former players and coaches were asked what they thought was important when it came to trophy design. The feedback received was that size, weight and being able to drink from the trophy were the most important traits.
Four U-shaped arms come together on the trophy to create eight handles, encouraging it to be held by a group. Engraved awards are very important in sporting events, with logo designs representing the four regional shields etched onto the arms of the trophy. At the top of the design is a crown that appears to levitate and can be removed to reveal a cup in the centre, which can then be drunk from.
