The Blue and Blacks kickoff 2025 with a home game against Swansea RFC in Super Rygbi Cymru.
Cardiff RFC who remain in second place after a hard fought 36-30 win over Newport last weekend, will be aiming to start the New Year with bang at the Arms Park.
A picturesque finish by Joe Goodchild on 73 minutes secured the Blue and Blacks a much needed win to end 2024 on a high. Also crossing the whitewash that day was Alun Rees, Sean Moore, Nathan Hudd and a brace from Elijah Evans.
The visitors for Saturday’s encounter come into the game having picked up their first win of the season against Aberavon at St Helens. Despite drawing 0-0 at the break a penalty try and Josh Phillips penalty saw the All Whites win 10-8.
This round of SRC fixtures will also see the introduction of four new laws being applied;
- 60-second conversion limit to align with penalties and improve game pace. This will be managed by a shot clock where possible.
- 30-second setup for lineouts will match time for scrums to reduce downtime. This will be managed by the match officials.
- Play-on rule in uncontested lineouts when the throw is not straight
- Scrum-half protection during scrums, rucks, and mauls.
Team News:
1.Marc Thomas
2. Alun Rees
3. Tom Harper
4. Craig Hudd
5. Sean Moore (C)
6. Evan Rees
7. Lucas de la Rua
8. Benji Williams
9. Ethan Lloyd
10. Josh Thomas
11. Kodie Stone
12. Jason Harries
13. Luke Pollock
14. Edmund Anya
15. Joe Goodchild
Replacements:
16. Charlie Manship
17. Jared Williams
18. Joe Cowell
19. Ethan Phillips
20. Aled Ward
21. Will Jameson
22. Joe Williams
23. Fraser Jones
Pre-Match Thoughts:
Speaking on the fixture head coach, Dan Fish said: “After two close fought Christmas crackers we look forward to welcoming Swansea for the last game of this block.
“We are looking to build on the momentum from a great win last weekend and know that Swansea will be just as tough after their close win against Aberavon last weekend.
“We have prepared well and look forward to a fast start in 2025.
“We hope all the Blue and Black faithful had a great Christmas and New Year and look forward to seeing them Saturday.”
Remember the last meeting at the Arms Park?
The last time these two met was back in March where Cardiff wore their away strip of red and black as they won a 11-try thriller, 38-33. The game was brought forward two days due to Wales Women’s Six Nations campaign getting underway on the Saturday.
Tries from Sean Moore, Craig Hudd, Morgan Allen, Joe Williams, Harrison James and Kodie Stone saw the Blue and Blacks run in six tries. It wasn’t all plain sailing for the Blue and Blacks as around the 20-minute mark the visitors ran riot. Tries from Brandon Wood, Harri Blu Houston and Cai Davies so the All Whites score three times in the space of five minutes.
If you are unable to make the game on Saturday at the Arms Park you can stay up-to-date with live updates across our social media channels (X, Facebook and Instagram).