Cardiff RFC welcome Richard Whiffin’s Wales U20 to the Cardiff Arms Park for a friendly on Friday evening (KO: 19:30).
In what will be the Blue and Blacks’ first outing of 2026, they tackle an U20’s side whose preparation is ramping up for a clash against England on Friday 6 February at Franklin’s Gardens, Northampton.
For Cardiff, they enter the contest off the back of concluding 2025 with a hard-fought 33-10 victory at the Electric Brewery Field.
Ioan Emanuel scored in the first half, and this was accompanied by second-half crosses from Alun Rees, Ben Fry, Iwan Stephens, and Steffan Emanuel, as Harri Wilde slotted eight points from the tee.
Cardiff RFC Team News vs Wales U20:
- Ioan Emanuel
- Gavin Parry
- Will Davies-King
- Sean Moore (C)
- Ethan Phillips
- Gwilym Bradley
- Nathan Hudd
- Aled Ward
- Joe Williams
- Steff Crimp
- Dewi Cross
- Ioan Penry
- Tom Williams
- Joe Goodchild
- Steff Davies
Replacements:
- Gruff John-Morris
- Joe Cowell
- Tom Harper
- Rhodri Morgan
- Sonny McCabe
- Arthur Garfield
- Ioan Leyshon
- Ollie Das
- Harry Turner
Pre-Match Thoughts:
Speaking ahead of the match, head coach Dan Fish said: “Friday will be a good occasion playing against Wales U20’s, it’s good for us to get a good hit out in readiness for Ebbw Vale next weekend.
“It will be strange playing against so many familiar faces, but it’s also so pleasing to see those boys kicking on, exactly what we want to see them boys taking the next step.
“We have a good squad for the game, it will be good to see the next line of young talent we have in the squad.
“With so many backs missing due to playing against us or with our senior team, it’s a good opportunity to see the young boys step up.
“I’m sure it will be a fast game, so make sure you don’t miss it, and it will be great to see you all down the Arms Park.”
Cardiff RFC players looking to impress in Welsh jersey
Head coach Whiffin has included several Cardiff RFC/Rugby representatives across both halves tomorrow evening, underlining the strength of the pathway at the Arms Park.
In the first half, Steffan Emanuel will captain the side from inside centre, alongside fellow Cardiff player Osian Darwin-Lewis at outside centre.
There will also be a Cardiff half-back pairing featuring Sion Davies starting at scrum-half and Lloyd Lucas named at fly-half.
Further Cardiff involvement follows in the second half, with hooker Tom Howe, who made his Cardiff RFC debut against Bridgend prior to Christmas.
Elsewhere, Gabe Williams, Bailey Cutts, Joseff Jones and Rhys Cummings are all named in the second-half back line, offering additional opportunities for Blue and Blacks players to stake their claim ahead of the U20 Six Nations, which gets underway next month.
For those unable to make it to the Cardiff Arms Park on Friday evening, you can stay up-to-date with live updates across all Cardiff RFC social media channels (X, Facebook, and Instagram).