Cardiff RFC host Pontypool RFC on Saturday (KO: 2 pm), which will be part of a massive double header at the Cardiff Arms Park.
The Blue and Blacks will look to play their first game since October 26th as they host Pontypool RFC, who, just like Cardiff, had their game last weekend called off. Pooler was scheduled to play Aberavon, and Cardiff had travelled to Church Bank before the game was cancelled against Llandovery due to bad weather.
Like that day on October 26th, this encounter is part of a huge day at the Arms Park. Following our match, Cardiff Rugby takes on rivals Dragons RFC in the United Rugby Championship at 17:15.
In the Blue and Black’s last outing, they played Bridgend Ravens, winning convincingly 47-14, and went into the break top of Super Rygbi Cymru. Saturday’s opponent, Pooler, went into the break with a comfortable 43-10 victory away to Swansea on October 24th.
Team News:
- Danny Southworth
- Alun Rees
- Joe Cowell
- Craig Hudd
- Sean Moore (c)
- Aled Ward
- Lucas de la Rua
- Mackenzie Martin
- Ethan Lloyd
- Harri Wilde
- Dewi Cross
- Steffan Emanuel
- Elijah Evans
- Tom Bowen
- Joe Goodchild
Replacements:
- Gavin Parry
- Marc Thomas
- Tom Harper
- Ethan Phillips
- Benji Williams
- Nathan Hudd
- Sion Davies
- Osian Darwin-Lewis
Pre-Match Thoughts:
Speaking ahead of the fixture, Marc Thomas said: “Yeah it was frustrating last weekend, it’s been a long lay off and to travel down as well but couldn’t be helped.
“We have a big block coming up. Some top sides, so we will see where we are at.
“Pontypool are a good side, good club with a lot of good people. We are expecting a tough match, they are going to make things difficult with a big pack and good back row boys over the ball.
“So we need to them physically and deal with the breakdown to make our style of game work.
“Yeah it’s nice to play again before the seniors (Cardiff Rugby), was a good occasion last time and the boys enjoyed,” Thomas added.
“Disappointed that the weather got the best of us last week,” said Head Coach Dan Fish.
“We are looking forward to a big game at home on the weekend. The last doubleheader was a good day for the club, so hopefully, we can repeat that again on the weekend.
“We are expecting a physical game and have prepared well for what’s coming. The Boys have worked hard over the past couple of weeks and are itching to get back on to the field. Hopefully, we get the chance to express ourselves in the way we want to,” Fish added.
Remember the last meeting at the Arms Park?
The last time these two met was at the end of October last year when three penalties from Harrison James proved insufficient. With the clock nearly in the red, Matthew Jarvis, who kicked three penalties himself to make proceedings level in the final moments, fired the ball deep into the Cardiff half. Inside centre, Amosa Nove charged the ball down and crossed for the afternoon’s only try as Pooler recorded a 16-9 victory.
Opposition form:
Pooler comes into the game after winning three out of their last five games. Their wins have come against Swansea (43-10), Newport RFC (17-14), and RGC 1404 (32-20). That win against the North Wallians came after their 61-42 loss a week earlier in Colwyn Bay.
Head-to-Head Record.
This fixture has historically favoured the Blue and Blacks, who have won 119 times over Pooler. Their first meeting came back on January 1st, 1908, finishing 13-0 in favour of Cardiff. More recently, Pontypool did the double on the Blue and Blacks last season, having won 19-6 at the Arms Park, and then at Pontypool Park, it finished 20-13 back in February. Before that meeting, the last time these two met in the Capital was 30-5 to the Blue and Blacks in 2010.
Those unable to make it on Saturday can stay updated via live updates on our social media channels (X, Facebook, and Instagram).