Cardiff RFC will host Newport RFC in the semi-finals of Super Rygbi Cymru on Sunday afternoon at the Cardiff Arms Park (KO: 2:30pm).
Both teams come into the contest on the back of wins over Bridgend Ravens and Aberavon. Dan Fish’s side crossed the whitewash on five occasions as they put aside the Ravens 31-19 to book themselves a last four spot.
A first try as a Blue and Black by tighthead, Tom Harper was accompanied by crosses from Nathan Hudd, Dewi Cross, Matty Young and Joe Williams which saw Cardiff triumphant at the Arms Park.
For the Black and Ambers, they had to get past Aberavon and did so by coming from behind as they scored six tries at Newport Stadium last Saturday. A brace from centre, David Richards was accompanied by tries from Dafydd Buckland, Jac Lloyd, Lloyd Lewis and Iestyn Galton as Newport claimed a 40-25 victory.
Whenever, both Cardiff and Newport play each other it’s always the big one for the players and bragging rights for supporters. So, who will book themselves into the inaugural SRC Final next weekend?
Team News:
1. Marc Thomas
2. Alun Rees
3. Tom Harper
4. Craig Hudd
5. Sean Moore (c)
6. Aled Ward
7. Nathan Hudd
8. Mackenzie Martin
9. Ethan Lloyd
10. Lloyd Lucas
11. Dewi Cross
12. Jason Harries
13. Osian Darwin-Lewis
14. Elijah Evans
15. Joe Goodchild
Replacements:
16. Gavin Parry
17. Cam Tyler-Grocott
18. Christian Brooke
19. Evan Rees
20. Benji Williams
21. Ethan Phillips
22. Joe Williams
23. Luke Pollock
Pre-Match Thoughts:
Speaking ahead of the fixture head coach, Dan Fish said: “Happy to get the win against Bridgend, it was a scrappy game but the boys done well to come away with the win.
“We look forward to another tough game Sunday against Newport. We always have good hard close games against them and I’m expecting nothing less come Sunday.
“The boys efforts against Bridgend were excellent and we know we need to be at that level and more come Sunday.”
Remember the last meeting at the Arms Park?
The last meeting between the pair came prior to Christmas, where the Black and Ambers were 27-20 victors at a bitterly cold and breezy Arms Park. This was also the Blue and Blacks’ first home defeat of the SRC season.
Despite scores from Marc Thomas, Joe Goodchild and Josh Thomas it proved not to be enough as Newport took the spoils in that instalment of this historic rivalry.
Those unable to make it to the Cardiff Arms Park on Sunday can stay up to date with live updates via our social media channels (X, Facebook and Instagram).