Old rivals lock horns once again ahead of Christmas
Cardiff RFC return to the Cardiff Arms Park for their first home game of December as they take on Newport RFC tomorrow afternoon (16:45).
It was a tough day at the office last timeout for the Blue and Blacks as they suffered just their second defeat of the season away to Ebbw Vale. However, the Steelmen were made to work for it as tries from Edmund Anya and Alun Rees accompanied by the boot of Fraser Jones proved not to be enough.
Team News:
1.Marc Thomas
2. Alun Rees
3. Tom Harper
4. Craig Hudd
5. Ethan Phillips
6. Lucas de la Rua
7. Nathan Hudd
8. Aled Ward
9. Ethan Lloyd
10. Harri Wilde
11. Kodie Stone
12. Jason Harries
13. Elijah Evans
14. Joe Goodchild
15. Josh Thomas
Replacements:
16. Charlie Manship
17. Jarred Williams
18. Joe Cowell
19. Sean Moore
20. Benji Williams
21. Evan Rees
22. Sion Davies
23. Fraser Jones
Pre-Match Thoughts:
Ahead of the game tomorrow head coach, Dan Fish said: “A Christmas derby at home is a great way for us to get back on track.
“Great to have the Welsh 20’s boys back after their good win against Scotland last week. We have had a good training week and know we have to be switched on for the full 80 minutes against a good Newport team.
“Last home game of the year and we hope to go out on a bang,” Fish added.
Remember the last meeting at the Arms Park?
The last time these two met at the ‘CAP’ was back in November last year where it finished 26-15 in favour of the Black and Ambers. Both Harrison James and Luke Pollock crossed the whitewash with James converting five points from the tee.
However, on that occasion, it was his opposite number in Carwyn Penny, who converted 16 of Newport’s 26 points from the tee. This was accompanied by tries from Lloyd Lewis and Ioan Davies who both start for Newport tomorrow.
Opposition form:
The Black and Ambers come into the game five points behind the Blue and Blacks in third place and have won 6 of their opening 8 games. They have recorded wins against Bridgend Ravens (41-22), Swansea (35-27), Aberavon (29-19), RGC 1404 (62-7), Carmarthen Quins (31-20) and Swansea (33-28).
Their only defeats of the season have come against fellow Gwent side Pontypool (17-14) and Llandovery (30-28).
For those unable to be at the Arms Park tomorrow afternoon you can stay up-to-date with updates via our social media channels (X, Facebook, Instagram).