Cardiff RFC conclude their Super Rygbi Cymru Cup campaign as they welcome Pontypool RFC to the Cardiff Arms Park on Thursday evening (KO: 19:30).
The Blue and Blacks come into the contest following a quick five-day turnaround after facing Carmarthen Quins last Saturday. That cold but dry afternoon in Carmarthenshire saw Cardiff fall to their third consecutive defeat.
A first-half score by Evan Rees and Harri Wilde, adding the extras, saw Cardiff unable to achieve the desired outcome of a first Cup victory, as the Quins claimed the spoils narrowly 15-7 at Carmarthen Park.
Pontypool enter the contest tomorrow evening with the chance of reaching the semi-finals of the Cup. This comes after recording a 21-10 triumph over Rygbi Gogledd Cymru, and two draws against Newport RFC and Carmarthen.
The points for Pooler were shared against the Quins, as their postponed contest will not be replayed as both sides were awarded a 0-0 draw.
Cardiff RFC Team News to face Pontypool RFC:
- Cam Tyler-Grocott
- Gavin Parry
- Callum Donoghue-Proud
- Sonny McCabe
- Ethan Phillips
- Craig Hudd (C)
- Nathan Hudd
- Ben Fry
- Ethan Lloyd
- Harri Wilde
- Dewi Cross
- Tom Williams
- Ioan Leyshon
- Joe Goodchild
- Matty Young
Replacements:
- Evan Nicholls-Ngasseu
- Christian Brooke
- Tom Harper
- Lucca Alexander-White
- Tirion Bowen
- Joe Williams
- Ioan Penry
- Steff Davies
Pre-Match Thoughts:
Speaking ahead of the meeting against Pooler, head coach Dan Fish said: “After a couple of losses, we are hoping to finish the Cup competition with a good performance at the Arms Park.
“We have put in some good performances in the cup and come out on the wrong side of the results, but for us to keep growing, we need to make sure we build on our performances.
“We have given some boys vital game time over the Cup and also seen a lot of young boys take the field for us, and Thursday night is no different, with two more of our U18s boys making their debuts off the bench.
“Last game in the Cup before we have a big finish in the league, so hoping to keep the performances on the up.”
Remember the last meeting at the Arms Park?
This will be the second time this season that the Pontypool Park side will travel to the Welsh capital. The fixture took part as part of a double-header at the Arms Park.
Following the Blue and Blacks’ match, Cardiff Rugby narrowly beat Edinburgh 20-19 in an intriguing United Rugby Championship match-up.
Moving back to the clash against Pooler, Fish’s side recorded a convincing 31-3 victory at the Arms Park.
Tries from Alun Rees, Tom Cottle, Joe Goodchild, Ben Fry, and Gavin Parry, along with six points from the tee by Lloyd Lucas, saw the Blue and Blacks record back-to-back victories at home for the first time since last March.
For those unable to make it to the Cardiff Arms Park on Thursday evening, you can stay up-to-date with live updates across all Cardiff RFC social media channels (X, Facebook, and Instagram).