Newport RFC – Cardiff RFC Team News

Cardiff RFC return to Super Rygbi Cymru action on Friday as they face Newport RFC at Rodney Parade (KO: 19:30).

The Blue and Blacks come into the contest off the back of an impressive performance against Llandovery at the Cardiff Arms Park last timeout.

Tom Williams, Osian Darwin-Lewis, Tom Harper, and Alun Rees all crossed the whitewash as Lloyd Lucas kicked 12 points from the tee, which proved to be enough to record their first home win against the Drovers since October 2022.

Whereas for Friday evening’s hosts, who claimed the inaugural SRC last season, they’ve only recently returned to winning ways. Ty Morris’ Black and Ambers have put aside Ebbw Vale and Bridgend Ravens to record only two wins this season.

But whenever, both Cardiff and Newport play each other it’s always the standout fixture on the calendar for the players and supporters.

So who will take the bragging rights heading into 2026?

Team News:

1. Cam Tyler-Grocott

2. Alun Rees

3. Will Davies-King

4. Tom Cottle

5. Sean Moore (C)- 100th Appearance

6. Lucas de la Rua

7. Nathan Hudd

8. Evan Rees

9. Ethan Lloyd

10. Lloyd Lucas

11. Dewi Cross

12. Tom Williams

13. Elijah Evans

14. Joe Goodchild

15. Rhys Cummings

Replacements:

16. Gavin Parry

17. Ben Murphy

18. Tom Harper

19. Craig Hudd

20. Aled Ward

21. Joe Williams

22. Steff Crimp

23. Aled Summerhill

Pre-Match Thoughts:

Speaking ahead of the encounter, forwards coach Craig Everett said: “We got to a good place at the end of block one, the boys put some good performances together.

“But again another break has come, so we can recharge, ready to go again on Friday.

“It’s always a really good clash against Newport, so everyone’s excited.

“Newport are a very good team, it’s going to be a really good arm wrestle.

“I just expect our boys go down there and stay in the fight and hopefully we can come out on top.”

Remember the last meeting at Rodney Parade?

The last time these two met at Rodney Parade was back in March 2024.

A brace from outside centre Chay Foster-Smith was accompanied by Che Hope and Joshua Skinner also crossing as Newport claimed the spoils 28-14.

However, after going 14-0 down at the break both Sean Moore and former Blue and Black player, Luke Pollock scored as the Blue and Blacks nearly came away from the contest with a losing bonus point.

For those unable to make it to Rodney Parade on Friday evening, you can stay up-to-date with live updates across all Cardiff RFC social media channels (X, Facebook, and Instagram).

TEAM P W D L PF PA PTS
Ebbw Vale 7 6 0 1 241 114 36
Llandovery 8 6 0 2 267 235 33
Carmarthen Quins 8 6 0 2 197 165 29
Cardiff 7 4 0 3 225 203 26
Aberavon 8 4 0 4 225 263 21
Newport 8 3 0 5 195 195 20
Swansea 8 3 1 4 191 218 20
RGC 1404 9 2 0 7 276 304 18
Bridgend Ravens 9 2 1 6 226 322 17
Pontypool 8 3 0 5 169 193 16