Cardiff will go head-to-head with Newport on Sunday afternoon in the semi-finals of the SRC and 18-year-old, Lloyd Lucas will make his first Cardiff RFC start at outside-half at the Cardiff Arms Park.
The Ysgol Glantaf and Cardiff Harlequins product, signed a senior academy contract back in March and has had an outstanding year.
He made his first SRC start for the Blue and Blacks in the Cup against Bridgend Ravens at the age of 17. He capped off his debut back in February with a try. Along with this he has represented Wales Under 18s and was also a member of the Cardiff Rugby team that made it to the WRU Regional Age-Grade championship final.
On making his first start at the Arms Park as a Blue and Black, Lucas said: “ Feeling confident and excited about starting my first game for Cardiff RFC in front of a home crowd in a semi-final.
“It doesn’t get much better than that.
“Dan Fish pulled me Tuesday and gave me the nod about playing in the 10 jersey and that feeling felt incredible to be fair and I’m full of excitement and just can’t wait for Sunday.”
Son of former Cardiff RFC player Gavin Lucas, when asked what the moment was like when he told his father, he added: “Yes my dads played for Cardiff RFC, so finding out I was starting probably made him feel really old (he laughed).
“Genuinely he is really proud to see myself putting the same jersey on he did many years ago.”
He had his first taste of SRC action at the Arms Park last weekend in the Blue and Blacks quarter-final encounter against Bridgend, where he came on and made an impact.
Come Sunday, for many supporters and players there will be bragging rights on the line and this will be Lucas’ first meeting with Newport RFC. The last time they faced each other was at the back end of last year at the Newport Stadium, and after a disappointing defeat a week earlier Dan Fish’s side recorded a 36-30 win.
Tries from Nathan Hudd, Sean Moore, Alun Rees, Joe Goodchild and a brace from Elijah Evans saw the Blue and Blacks gain revenge over their oldest rivals.
“Expecting Newport to throw the ball around as they have got some exciting backs but it’s our job to stop their backs getting limited ball as we keep implying pressure on them,” Lucas added.
“It would mean everything to us as a team and as a coaching staff and everyone involved. There is a lot of passion from the coaches and players so to book ourselves into the final would mean everything to us and the club as a whole.”
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