Come Saturday afternoon in North Wales, it will be 125 days since Dan Fish’s side last played a competitive match. So, for the second consecutive season, Cardiff RFC will begin proceedings in the 2025/26 Super Rygbi Cymru season against Rygbi Gogledd Cymru 1404 on Saturday afternoon (KO 2:30 pm).
The Blue and Blacks head to Stadiwm CSM on the back of an impressive pre-season, which saw 20 tries and 130 points scored by the Cardiff Arms Park side. Cardiff come into the contest on the back of their most recent pre-season victory against Esher RFC.
Winger Dewi Lake crossed four times, with hooker Alun Rees scoring twice. Also crossing the whitewash were Sonny McCabe, Rhys Cummings, Evan Rees, and debutants Tirion Bowen and Tom Williams.
‘The Gogs’ enter the encounter off the back of a 59-31 defeat to English Championship side Coventry Rugby at Butts Park Arena. However, before that, they put aside Chester RFC 50-19 in their opening pre-season game in Colwyn Bay.
Cardiff RFC Team News vs RGC:
- Cam Tyler-Grocott
- Gavin Parry
- Will Davies-King
- Tom Cottle
- Ethan Phillips
- Ben Fry
- Lucas de la Rua
- Evan Rees
- Ieuan Davies
- Harri Wilde
- Dewi Cross
- Jason Harries (C)
- Tom Williams
- Joe Goodchild
- Rhys Cummings
Replacements:
- Gruff John-Morris
- Joe Cowell
- Tom Harper
- Tirion Bowen
- Rhodri Morgan
- Ethan Lloyd
- Lloyd Lucas
- Ioan Penry
Pre-Match Thoughts:
Ahead of the match, head coach Fish said: “I’m glad to see the back of pre-season as I’m sure the boys are as well.
“The boys have worked very hard over the off-season to prepare ourselves for the new season, and it’s finally here.
“We have made some very good additions to the squad and look forward to seeing them run out in the famous blue and black.
“We know RGC away first game of the season is going to be a tough challenge, but we have to be ready to meet that head on.
“We have had a good week and want to start the season with a good performance.”
Remember the last meeting at Stadiwm CSM?
The last time the pair met in Colwyn Bay was both’s first SRC game. In front of a large travelling support from Blue and Black supporters, and in Fish’s first competitive match in charge, Cardiff claimed the spoils dramatically.
It was brilliance from Tom Bowen, who on his debut for the club scored a hat-trick, whilst Dewi Cross scored, with replacement Joe Goodchild scoring late in the match after a penalty from Osian Darwin-Lewis.
For the hosts that day, Tai Taylor, Sam Williams, and Sam Stoddard also scored with the boot of Dion Jones, kicking 10 points. That proved insufficient, as the Blue and Blacks secured a 32-25 victory. This was the first win in North Wales since January 2022.
For those unable to make the long journey up to Stadiwm CSM, you can stay up-to-date with live updates across all Cardiff RFC social media channels (X, Facebook and Instagram).