Cardiff RFC continue their Super Rygbi Cymru campaign on Saturday afternoon as they welcome Ebbw Vale to the Cardiff Arms Park (KO: 2:30pm).
The Blue and Blacks come into the encounter off the back of a 60-20 defeat against the Steelman at the Ciner Glass Community Stadium.
A hat-trick from replacement Ieuan Morris was accompanied by a penalty try and crosses from Ethan Phillips, Joe Franchi, Morgan Richards, Ewan Bowden, Sion Parry which saw Jason Strange’s side defend their Super Rygbi Cymru Challenger Shield.
However, Joe Goodchild who’s unavailable this weekend scored a brace with Gavin Parry crossing after a catch and drive as Lloyd Lucas kicked five points from the tee.
Team News:
1. Ed Byrne
2. Alun Rees
3. Tom Harper
4. Tom Cottle
5. Evan Rees
6. Ben Fry
7. Nathan Hudd
8. Aled Ward
9. Ieuan Davies
10. Lloyd Lucas
11. Rhys Cummings
12. Jason Harries (C)
13. Osian Darwin-Lewis
14. Tom Williams
15. Steffan Crimp
Replacements:
16. Gavin Parry
17. Corey Domachowski
18. Joe Cowell
19. Ethan Philips
20. Rhodri Morgan
21. Gruff John-Morris
22. Ethan Lloyd
23. Joe Williams
Pre-match thoughts:
Speaking ahead of the match, head coach Dan Fish said: “Very disappointed to fold like we did in the second half last weekend. 36 minutes on the clock we are loosing 17-15 into the wind.
“Couple of unforced errors led to field position to Ebbw Vale and to be fair to them they were very clinical and come away with two tries in four minutes to make it 31-15 half time.
“Second half we just didn’t come out of the changing rooms and to be fair to Ebbw they dominated field position and made us pay for it.
“We know what to expect from them but stopping it is another thing and if you keep giving them opportunities they will come away with points.
“Coming to the Arms Park this weekend we got to put some pride back into the jersey, in the last six seasons I’ve been involved in Cardiff I’ve never felt like I did last Saturday and it hurt not just me but the rest of the coaching group and the playing group.
“We need a reaction and we have to step up physically on Saturday. If we can look after the ball in the contact area, we know we can cause all teams problems but we have to come on Saturday with that edge because if we don’t we know what is coming.”
Remember the last meeting at the Arms Park?
The pair last met in Cardiff where the Blue and Blacks played their first-ever SRC home game. That evening back in September 2024 in front of S4C cameras, Fish’s side claimed the spoils 29-12.
This came after a quick five day turnaround, from their visit to Colwyn Bay to face Rygbi Gogledd Cymru.
A brace by winger Dewi Cross was accompanied by crosses from Efan Daniels and Joe Goodchild as the Blue and Blacks recorded a six point bonus point as they won by 15 points over the Steelmen.
For those unable to make it to the Cardiff Arms Park on Saturday afternoon, you can stay up-to-date with live updates across all Cardiff RFC social media channels (X, Facebook, and Instagram).