Llandovery RFC v Cardiff RFC Preview: Dan Fish’s men return to Super Rygbi Cymru action this Saturday when they travel to Church Bank as they aim to remain top of the league
The Blue and Blacks will be looking to carry on where they left off in block one of Super Rygbi Cymru, where they won six of their opening seven. In their last outing on October 26th, the Blue and Blacks recorded an emphatic 47-14 win over Bridgend Ravens.
Dewi Cross scored twice as Alun Rees, Aled Ward, Jason Harries, Benji Williams and Elijah Evans all crossed the whitewash as the Blue and Blacks headed into the break in pole position sat on 34 points.
Team News:
1. Danny Southworth
2. Alun Rees
3. Joe Cowell
4. Ethan Phillips
5. Sean Moore (c)
6. Craig Hudd
7. Lucas de la Rua
8. Benji Williams
9. Ethan Lloyd
10. Harri Wilde
11. Dewi Cross
12. Steffan Emanuel
13. Elijah Evans
14. Tom Bowen
15. Joe Goodchild
Replacements:
16. Gavin Parry
17. Marc Thomas
18. Tom Harper
19. Evan Rees
20. Aled Ward
21. Sion Davies
22. Osian Darwin-Lewis
23. Luke Pollock
Pre-Match Thoughts
Speaking ahead of the fixture, Tom Harper said: “The boys have enjoyed the time off, it’s different to the usual format but the break has allowed us to work on a few aspects of our game and get some well earned rest after the first block.
“We enjoyed a rest week after the Bridgend game, but since then we have been working hard as a group to prepare for this next block. We have had some on field sessions mixed in with some conditioning in the gym.
“There is a real positivity about our start to the season and it has set the standard. We are looking forward to the next block and maintaining that standard,” Harper added.
On facing Llandovery, Harper continued: “Llandovery are always a tough physical opposition with a solid set piece and some quality in the backs. We are looking forward to the challenge that brings.
“It would be great to leave Church Bank with a win and would mean a lot to us as a group. Leading us nicely into the coming games and set a statement to the rest of the SRC,” he concluded.
Head coach, Dan Fish said: “We are looking forward to getting back on the pitch this weekend.
“It’s a good challenge for us going up against the champions. We have a good squad and team selection is becoming more difficult which is a credit to the boys and their hard work. A tough block coming up and we can’t wait to get stuck in,” Fish added.
Opposition form:
After a historic season last year, during which the Drovers won both the Indigo Premiership title and the WRU Cup, they currently have 23 points, having won four of their opening seven. Euros Evans’ men have recorded wins over Pontypool (21-18) and three wins on the bounce to conclude block one against Newport (30-28), Swansea (42-13) and Aberavon (33-26).
Llandovery were also awarded the SRC Challenge Shield before the start of the season, which is similar to New Zealand’s Ranfurly Shield. This is where the holder will put up the shield for competition in every home game of the regular season. However, in their first defence, the Drovers lost 31-28 to Ebbw Vale, who now hold the shield.
Remember the last meeting at Church Bank?
They last met in the playoff semi-final in May when the Drovers recorded a 34-13 win as they ran in four second-half tries. Tries from Ioan Hughes and Kian Abraham accompanied a brace by Macs Page saw the Drovers end the Blue and Blacks 2023/24 season.
Head-to-Head
Cardiff and Llandovery have met 45 times since their first encounter in 1990, when the Blue and Blacks won 52-13. Over the years, the Drovers have had the upper hand, winning 23 of the 45 meetings.
The last time the Blue and Blacks recorded a win at Church Bank was back in April 2022. That day, Mason Grady scored a hat-trick, and Max Llewelyn, Morgan Allen, Sean Moore and Alun Rees scored as Cardiff won 41-21 in the Tywi Valley.
Those unable to make the trip to Church Bank on Saturday can stay updated via live updates on our social media channels (X, Facebook, and Instagram).