Cardiff RFC, in their first home match of the 2026/27 Super Rygbi Cymru (SRC) season, face Swansea RFC on Saturday evening at the Cardiff Arms Park (KO: 18:00).
The Blue and Blacks head into the encounter after a 27-17 victory over Carmarthen Quins in a hotly contested match in miserable conditions at Carmarthen Park.
That afternoon, Matty Young kicked off his season by claiming a brace, supported by scores from Alun Rees and Dewi Cross. Outside-half Ben Coomer kicked two points, while replacement Sonny Greenman slotted five, sealing the bonus-point win.
Swansea began their season with a 40-12 defeat away against Ebbw Vale RFC. But they do travel to Cardiff with fond memories of their last match in the Welsh capital. They put aside Rygbi Gogledd Cymru (RGC), 29-13, to claim the SRC Plate.
Before the two sides meet, as part of the double-header on Saturday, Cardiff Rugby will conclude their pre-season campaign against Exeter Chiefs (KO: 15:00).
Team News:
1. Ioan Emanuel
2. Tom Howe
3. Tom Harper
4. Tom Cottle
5. Sonny McCabe
6. Sean Moore
7. Craig Hudd- C
8. Nathan Hudd
9. Ethan Lloyd
10. Ben Coomer
11. Dewi Cross
12. Jason Harries
13. Joe Goodchild
14. Iwan Pyrs-Jones
15. Rhys Cummings
Replacements:
16. Alun Rees
17. Harry Fry
18. Louis Fletcher
19. Tirion Bowen
20. Harvey Bryant
21. Sion Davies
22. Sonny Greenman
23. Isaac Marsh
Pre-Match Thoughts:
Speaking ahead of the encounter, head coach Dan Fish said: “It’s the first home game of the 150th season so a big occasion and with it being a double-header hopefully a lot of the fans will stay and watch the boys play.
“We know Swansea have an exciting backline and will try and move the ball around. So with two teams trying that we could be in for a fast open game.
“We know Swansea won at the Arms Park last season with two late scores so we know they will have their tails up despite what happened to them last week in Ebbw Vale.
“For us it’s about looking after the ball and playing with intent as we know when we get that right it will take a very good side to contain us.
“I’m sure it will be another exciting SRC game Saturday evening.”
Remember the last meeting at the Arms Park?
The pair last met in Cardiff last November, when the Whites claimed a miraculous 24-21 victory, overcoming a 19 point deficit.
A cross by Ethan Lloyd and a brace from Alun Rees, and six points from the tee by Steff Crimp proved not to be enough for the Blue and Blacks on a damp and cold evening.
In the space of a minute, replacement scrum-half Ellis Lewis scored two tries, sealing the Whites’ first victory against the Blue and Blacks in the Welsh capital since February 2017.
For those unable to make it to the Cardiff Arms Park on Saturday evening, make sure to follow Cardiff RFC’s social media channels (X, Facebook, and Instagram) for the latest updates.
