A reorganisation of the Swalec Cup, traditionally the premier knock-out tournament in Wales, has excluded clubs below Division One level.

The Cup becomes the sole preserve of Welsh Premiership and Division One sides, with lower-level clubs competing in reorganised Bowl and Plate events.

The change is designed to ensure more consistent league fixtures and see clubs of similar level competing.

Teams in all three events have the chance of a Millennium Stadium final.

Sides in Swalec League Division Four, Five, Six, Division Two North and university clubs will compete for the Bowl title, the tournament kicking off on 10 October with 169 clubs.

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Teams in Divisions Two, Three and Division One North will play in the Plate competition.

Last year's Plate winners, Ammanford, have drawn Llanelli Wanderers in the first round, which will be played on the weekend of 31 October.

All 14 Premiership clubs, including holders Neath, receive byes in the first round of the Swalec Cup, which initially only involves clubs from Division One East and West.

Every club in Wales will have a real crack of the whip at their respective title The WRU's Joe Lydon

The competition kicks off on 12 December with a round of matches that includes newly relegated Bridgend taking on fellow Ospreys region Division One West club Tonmawr, while Division One East champions Blackwood have drawn a bye.

"We can provide this opportunity for clubs to have their day in the sun at the Millennium Stadium, the jewel in the crown of Welsh rugby," said Welsh Rugby Union head of rugby, performance and development Joe Lydon.

"While last year's inaugural three-tier competition was a great success for those involved, we are always looking to improve standards and some clubs found it difficult to compete because of excessive travel costs and a build-up of matches.

"Holding the three finals at the Millennium Stadium was a great showpiece event for the game and for the national cup competition.

"We feel that by creating a system whereby clubs will be categorised according to their league division it will create an even more meaningful competition where every club in Wales will have a real crack of the whip at their respective title by playing against their peers in the league."

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