Cardiff RFC will continue their Super Rygbi Cymru league campaign on Saturday (2:30 p.m.) when they travel to Carmarthen Quins.

The Blue and Blacks head to West Wales after a midweek win against Ebbw Vale last Thursday. Winger Dewi Cross scored twice, sitting at the top of the pile with linebreaks. Also, both Efan Daniel and Joe Goodchild crossed the whitewash. Debutant Josh Thomas scored nine points from the tee as Cardiff made it back-to-back wins to begin proceedings in the inaugural league.

The trip to Carmarthen Park follows a positive start to Dan Fish’s tenure as head coach. The Blue and Blacks will be looking to carry on the momentum against the Quins on Saturday, who are celebrating their sesquicentennial season.

Despite only being in game week three, the Blue and Blacks are second behind rivals Newport RFC, who have also had back-to-back wins to begin the season.

Team News:

1. Rhys Barratt

2. Alun Rees

3. Thomas Harper

4. Craig Hudd

5. Sean Moore (C)

6. Evan Rees

7. Nathan Hudd

8. Tom Rice

9. Ethan Lloyd

10. Osian Darwin-Lewis

11. Dewi Cross

12. Steffan Emanuel

13. Luke Pollock

14. Tom Bowen

15. Matty Young

Replacements:

16. Gavin Parry

17. Jarred Williams

18. Joe Cowell

19. Ethan Phillips

20. Aled Ward

21. Joe Williams

22. Jason Harries

23. Joe Goodchild

Pre-Match Thoughts:

Alun Rees will make his 80th appearance on Saturday for the Blue and Blacks. Speaking ahead of the fixture, Rees said: “We were very happy with the result last Thursday. 

“It’s always a tough game against Ebbw Vale, especially up front. We are still not quite where we want to be on some aspects of our game but overall, we are happy with how things are going, and to get the total 6 points against a side like Ebbw Vale is really pleasing.

“There’s been a good buzz around the place all summer. The boys have all gone to the well on some pretty dark fitness sessions during pre-season, but we’ve come out the other end, and it’s pleasing that we’ve managed to take that hard work out on the field and had two really good results first up.”

Onto the encounter, Rees continued: “I think the bus up to RGC was one of the best things that could have happened to start the season off. 

“We have a lot of young boys and new faces around the team, so it was a good opportunity for everyone to get to know each other and gel and then to top it off with 5 points was even better, so hopefully more of the same this weekend.

“Carmarthen has made the Park a very difficult place to visit, so we know we will have to perform to get away with anything. We’ve worked on a few things this week in training, which we will look to implement and hopefully come away with a result,” Rees added.

Also, on Saturday’s fixture, head coach Dan Fish stated: “We are looking forward to going to Carmarthen on the weekend. We know it’s going to be a tough encounter and are embracing that.

“We have had two good performances and are looking to continue that this week. A couple of changes to the team with boys having opportunities as they have all trained hard over the summer and deserve that chance.

“The competition we are creating in the squad is healthy and all the boys know that they need to play well to keep the shirt,” Fish concluded.

A look at the opposition 

The Quins started their 150th season with a home win over Swansea (39-29). They then traveled to the Talbot Athletic Ground, where they lost 24-18 against Aberavon.

Scoring hasn’t been a problem for the Quins as they have scored seven tries already this season, four of whom came from hooker Lewis Young, who will be one to look at for on Saturday.

Gethin Davies, Josh Helps, and Lewys Mullins have scored other try scores so far this season. Centre Osian Jones will also be an attacking threat from the tee, adding scoreboard pressure, which was on show against Swansea.

Head-to-Head

Historically, the Blues and Blacks have had the upper hand in this fixture, winning 24 of the 38 meetings. Last season, Cardiff did the double, winning 24-18 away and securing a 77-7 win in April. That day, Luke Pollock scored three times, Dewi Cross picked up a brace, and Alun Rees, Harrison James, Morgan Allen, Joe Williams, Tom Rice, and Harri Wilde all scored.

The Quins last beat the Blue and Blacks in January 2022, narrowly winning 27-25 at Arms Park.

Remember the last meeting at the Park? 

The last time these teams met at Carmarthen Park was in March. The Blue and Blacks were scheduled to travel to the Park at the beginning of December last year, but it was postponed due to a frozen pitch.

The rescheduled fixture took place on a Friday evening. Alun Rees scored twice, and Morgan Allen also crossed the whitewash. On-point kicking from Harrison James proved to be the difference under the lights in Carmarthen.

For those unable to make the journey on Saturday, you can follow our live updates on our social media channels (X, Facebook, and Instagram) to stay up-to-date with the action.