Cardiff RFC head to the Ciner Glass Community Stadium on Saturday (KO: 2:30 PM) as they’ll be aiming to bounce back after their first defeat of the new Super Rygbi Cymru season against Ebbw Vale.
The Blue and Blacks enter the contest off the back of a narrow 36-33 defeat against Carmarthen Quins last Thursday. A brace from Dewi Cross has brought the winger up to 300 points scored for the club. Tom Cottle, Gavin Parry and Rhodri Morgan were the other try scorers, with Lloyd Lucas converting eight points.
Saturday afternoon will see the pair go head-to-head for the 121st time, but it will also see two Cardiff RFC debutants. Wales U20s star Ioan Emanuel, who started for Cardiff Rugby in pre-season, starts after signing a season-long loan deal with the regional side.
Whilst on the bench, new signing Steffan Crimp could make his debut. A Welsh qualified product of both Old Penarthians (also played largely in the club’s youth ranks) and Cardiff Met RFC, in both the Championship and BUCS Super Rugby.
Crimp has also played touch rugby and was the captain of the Wales cricket team at age-grade level. He has also had spells in the States with the San Diego Old Aztec RFC and Anthem Rugby Carolina, whilst also representing the USA U20s.
He earned his first cap in June 2023 against Canada and was selected in the Eagles squad for the summer internationals against Romania and Scotland in 2024.
Cardiff RFC Team News vs Ebbw Vale:
- Ioan Emmanuel
- Gavin Parry
- Will Davies-King
- Tom Cottle
- Ethan Phillips
- Ben Fry
- Lucas de la Rua
- Evan Rees
- Ethan Lloyd
- Lloyd Lucas
- Dewi Cross
- Jason Harries (c)
- Tom Williams
- Joe Goodchild
- Rhys Cummings
Replacements:
- Gruff John-Morris
- Cam Tyler-Grocott
- Joe Cowell
- Tirion Bowen
- Rhodri Morgan
- Ieuan Davies
- Steffan Crimp
- Ioan Penry
Pre-Match Thoughts:
Speaking ahead of the Blue and Blacks’ second away trip of the season, head coach Dan Fish said: “Disappointing performance from us on Thursday night and all credit to the Quins who were deserved winners.
“We let ourselves down at the contact area and couldn’t retain any ball to be able to put Quins under pressure multi-phase, and that’s a tap on the back for the Quins back row, who I thought were outstanding.
“Never nice to lose, especially at the Arms Park.
“This weekend, we are looking for a reaction and no tougher place to go than Ebbw Vale.
“We know we have to tidy a few things up going into the weekend, because if we don’t, it could be a long day.
“We also have good tough battles against Ebbw, and I’m sure Saturday will be no different.
“We will work hard this week to try put the wrongs right, but know we have to be ready for a mental and physical battle for 80 minutes come Saturday.”
Remember the last meeting in Ebbw Vale?
The last time these two teams met at the Ciner Glass Community Stadium was back in December of last year, in an enthralling encounter that saw the Steelmen come back from 17-0 down to win.
That day, Cameron Davies and Evan Lloyd scored, and Ryan Jenkins crossed the whitewash twice. Outside half Lloyd also scored 12 points from the tee, which guided his side to a hard-fought 32-20 win.
Edmund Anya, on his Blue and Blacks debut, scored after 12 minutes, with hooker Alun Rees also crossing at the end of the first quarter. However, Fraser Jones, who on that day kicked two penalties in both halves, proved not to be enough.
For those unable to make it to the Ciner Glass Community Stadium on Saturday afternoon, you can stay up-to-date with live updates across all Cardiff RFC social media channels (X, Facebook, and Instagram).