Cardiff RFC will aim to return to winning ways as they welcome Bridgend Ravens to the Cardiff Arms Park on Saturday afternoon in Super Rygbi Cymru (КО: 14:30).
The Blue and Blacks enter the encounter against the Ravens after suffering their first defeat of the season against Swansea RFC last Thursday at the newly revamped St Helen’s.
Outside-half Ben Coomer kicked the visitors’ only points of the evening in miserable conditions, as the Blue and Blacks fell to a brutal 26-3 defeat. It was their first away defeat against the Whites since 2019.
Bridgend head to Cardiff after securing their third victory of the season with a hard-fought 38-33 win over Pooler, following a narrow 24-19 triumph over Aberavon RFC.
The Blue and Blacks will need improvements as they welcome the Ravens to the Welsh capital, but they remain undefeated at home so far this season. These victories were against the Whites (49-35), Pontypool RFC (43-5), and Carmarthen Quins (35-12).
Team News:
- Ioan Emanuel
- Tom Howe
- Joe Cowell
- Craig Hudd (C)
- Tom Cottle
- Evan Rees
- Luca de la Rua
- Ben Fry
- Sion Davies
- Lloyd Lucas
- Dewi Cross
- Jason Harries
- Osian Darwin-Lewis
- Joe Goodchild
- Rhys Cummings
Replacements:
- Ethan Coombes
- Harry Fry
- Louis Fletcher
- Sean Moore
- Nathan Hudd
- Alfie Prygodzicz
- Ethan Lloyd
- Ben Coomer
Pre-Match Thoughts:
Speaking ahead of the encounter, head coach Dan Fish said: “After a disappointing performance away at Swansea, we return to the Arms Park against an in-form Bridgend team.
“They host a lot of familiar faces and have been playing some good rugby. We have had a good review of the Swansea game and how we can improve, ready for Bridgend.
“Every week when you turn up and play in the SRC, you have to be ready mentally and physically, as that will go a long way to the outcome of the match.
“Ebbw Vale away, we were on it from minute one, but last week we let ourselves down in the first-half and couldn’t get back on the scoreboard.
“Saturday promises to be a tough physical encounter, and we know Bridgend are a team that will throw everything at us for 80 minutes.
“We know if we can put our game on the park Saturday, we are a very tough team to play against.”
Remember the last meeting at the Cardiff Arms Park?
The pair last met in Cardiff before Christmas last year, when Fish’s side secured a much-needed 49-12 victory.
That afternoon against the Ravens also marked a significant milestone for captain Craig Hudd, who made his 50th appearance for the club.
Ben Fry claimed a brace, whilst debutant Tom Howe scored, and Alun Rees, Ieuan Davies, Osian Darwin-Lewis, and Joe Williams all crossed the whitewash, with Harri Wilde adding 12 points from the tee.
For those unable to make it to the Cardiff Arms Park on Saturday afternoon, make sure to follow Cardiff RFC’s social media channels (X, Facebook, and Instagram) for the latest updates.
