Last time out in the Cup, The Blue and Blacks knocked out rivals Newport 38-15 at the Cardiff Arms Park. While, Ebbw Vale knocked out struggling Neath at the Gnoll 40-19.
Cardiff have already faced The Steelmen once this season in their second home game. Ebbw Vale took the points on that occasion. Alun Rees and Kodie Stone both scored, but it wasn’t enough.
The Blue and Blacks have an excellent record for trips up the Valley to Ebbw Vale, and last season, Cardiff did the double, winning 18-13 away from home and narrowly winning 20-19 at the Arms Park.
The last time Cardiff lost at the Ciner Glass Community Stadium was in December 2018, when Rhys Jones dropped a late drop-goal to secure the victory for The Steelmen.
The Steelmen have won three out of their last five but are coming off a surprising defeat against Aberavon 24-13. That turned out to be the only Indigo Premiership game that week that took place.
Due to the freezing weather, The Blue and Blacks were supposed to have travelled to West Wales to face Carmarthen Quins, but due to the pitch being frozen, it meant the game was cancelled and will be rescheduled for later in the season.
Steve Law’s men come into this game fully recharged after a week off, and Law makes a handful of changes to his starting XV that was supposed to take on Carmarthen Quins last time out.
Alun Rees and Freddie Barnes come into the front row replacing Efan Daniel and Christian Brooke.
Nathan Hudd who was meant to start his 50th game in a Blue and Black shirt last time out will get the opportunity again and will be joined in the back row by Craig Hudd and captain Morgan Allen.
26-year-old Arwel Robson returns at flyhalf and Tom Habberfield replaces Joe Williams to complete the halfbacks.
Harrison James moves to fullback, replacing Jacob Lloyd, who drops onto the bench. Both Dewi Cross and Joe Goodchild start on the wing. This will be Goodchild’s 35th game in a Blue and Black shirt.
Cardiff Starting XV: 15. Harrison James, 14. Joe Goodchild, 13. Luke Pollock, 12. Arron Pinches, 11. Dewi Cross, 10. Arwel Robson, 9. Tom Habberfield, 1. Ollie Evans, 2. Alun Rees, 3. Freddie Barnes, 4. Sean Moore, 5. Ethan Phillips, 6. Craig Hudd, 7. Nathan Hudd, 8. Morgan Allen (C)
Replacements: 16. Tyler Olding, 17. Eddie Drake, 18. Adam Williams, 19. Shaun O’Rourke, 20. Ioan Pascoe, 21. Joe Williams, 22. Jacob Lloyd, 23. Matty Young
KO: 2:30
Words By Harry Tovey
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