Cardiff RFC will look to continue their impressive start to the 2026/27 Super Rygbi Cymru season against Ebbw Vale RFC at the CiNER Glass Community Stadium on Saturday afternoon (KO: 14:30).
The Blue and Blacks travel to face the Steelmen after an emphatic 43-5 win over Pontypool RFC at Cardiff Arms Park last Friday, securing their third successive win and another six-point bonus-point haul.
That evening, Cardiff were in complete control in the Welsh capital, racing into a 38-point lead at the break. Ioan Emanuel crossed twice, while Tom Howe, Tom Harper, Gethyn Cannon, Ben Coomer and Joe Goodchild also added to the score.
Speaking on last week’s largest win so far this season for the Blue and Blacks, captain Craig Hudd added: “Yeah, really pleased with the first-half performance last week.
“We executed our game plan well and managed to apply real pressure from the first minute, which is what we always set out to do.”
Saturday afternoon’s host, like the Blue and Blacks, remain unbeaten so far this season. This comes following back-to-back six-point bonus-point victories over Swansea and Aberavon RFC to begin their new campaign.
But in their previous outing against Rygbi Gogledd Cymru (RGC), Ebbw Vale edged past the North Wales side 33-31 to continue their perfect start, putting them in second place, one above Cardiff in the SRC league table.
The last time Cardiff travelled to Ebbw Vale in late September last year, the Blue and Blacks suffered a heavy 60-20 defeat. Replacement Ieuan Morris claimed a hat-trick, and the Steelmen also scored six more to reclaim the SRC Challenger Shield.
For Cardiff, Joe Goodchild crossed twice with two impressive finishes in the corner, while former Blue and Black Gavin Parry also added to the tally. Outside-half Lloyd Lucas added five points from the tee.
Cardiff’s most recent victory at the CiNER Glass Community Stadium came in January 2024, when they won 23-9.
“Ebbw Vale away is always a difficult game, and it will be no exception this weekend,” Hudd added.
“Last year’s result up there still hurts, and we are looking to put that right this weekend.
“We’re confident in the way we are performing at the start of the season this year and hoping to again put in another good 80-minute performance, which, if we are honest, is something we haven’t fully delivered on yet so far this season.”
It’s a busy October for the Blue and Blacks, who after Saturday’s contest entertain Carmarthen Quins at the Cardiff Arms Park next weekend.
This is before a short five-day turnaround when they face Swansea in a highly anticipated match at St Helen’s. They then face back-to-back home matches against Bridgend Ravens and Ebbw Vale to close out the month’s action.
On the importance of continuing to build on the successes of the previous outings heading into a busy period of fixtures, Hudd said: “It’s always important to keep building momentum, especially this side of Christmas as that’s when most of the league games are played.
“We have a good run of games in October, and we are looking to build each week, which will hopefully allow us to come out on the right side of results.”
For those unable to make it to the CiNER Glass Community Stadium on Saturday afternoon, make sure to follow Cardiff RFC’s social media channels (X, Facebook, and Instagram) for the latest updates.
