Cardiff RFC will aim to continue their impressive form in Super Rygbi Cymru as they welcome Ebbw Vale RFC to the Cardiff Arms Park on Saturday afternoon (KO: 14:30).
The Blue and Blacks enter the contest against the Steelmen after securing an impressive 31-0 victory against Bridgend Ravens in horrendous conditions last weekend.
A hat-trick from hooker Tom Howe was accompanied by further tries by Craig Hudd and Ethan Coombes, as outside-half Lloyd Lucas added six points from the tee to secure the six-point bonus-point win.
The victory was enough to see the Blue and Blacks climb back to pole position in Super Rygbi Cymru, and respond perfectly after suffering their first defeat of their sesquicentennial season.
For the visitors on Saturday afternoon, they recorded a 31-15 victory against Llandovery RFC at Church Bank, leaving them just one point behind the Blue and Blacks in the league table.
Cardiff will have fond memories of their last outing against the Steelmen, which kick-started their busy October schedule with a fantastic 59-14 away victory.
Saturday’s match will also see Joe Goodchild celebrate his 100th appearance for the club, having also scored against the Ebbw Vale last timeout.
Team News:
- Harry Fry
- Ethan Coombes
- Tom Harper
- Craig Hudd– (C)
- Sean Moore
- Evan Rees
- Nathan Hudd
- Ben Fry
- Ethan Lloyd
- Ben Coomer
- Dewi Cross
- Isaac Marsh
- Tom Williams
- Joe Goodchild- 100th Appearance
- Rhys Cummings
Replacements:
- Dylan Line
- Vinnay Cleak
- Louis Fletcher
- Tirion Bowen
- Alfie Prygodzicz
- Sion Davies
- Sonny Greenman
- Jason Harries
Pre-Match Thoughts:
Speaking ahead of the encounter, head coach Dan Fish said: “This week we move onto Ebbw Vale, who we know are hurting from what happened a couple of weeks ago.
“It’s the last game of a big block of rugby and we want to make sure we finish with a good performance.
“We have made some adjustments over the seven games and the boys have reacted and adapted really well.
“We know what game plan we want to execute on the weekend, but for that to come into question we need to match them physically and our discipline has to be very good.
“We know they are dangerous when they get into the 22 so we want to try and limit their entries into that area.
“We have focused on how we can be the best version of ourselves and put our game onto the pitch.
“We know if we can get this we are a very difficult team to play against.”
Remember the last meeting at the Cardiff Arms Park?
Cardiff last welcomed the Blaenau Gwent side to the Welsh capital in January, with the Blue and Blacks securing another convincing bonus-point win.
Joe Goodchild scored on his 80th appearance as a Blue and Black and was accompanied by a further five scores.
Tries from Alun Rees, Evan Rees, Elijah Evans, Dewi Cross, and Gwilym Bradley, alongside seven points from the tee by Player of the Match Harri Wilde secured a 37-19 win. This was their fourth consecutive triumph in the league at the time.
For those unable to make it to the Cardiff Arms Park on Saturday afternoon, make sure to follow Cardiff RFC’s social media channels (X, Facebook, and Instagram) for the latest updates.
