This period is full of historical rivalries, with all eyes and talking points being on the regional sides this festive period.
Everyone should be paying more attention to the next round of fixtures in the Indigo Premiership, as there are some crackers to whet the appetite before and after Christmas Day.
Firstly, Church Bank is the destination for The Towy Valley Derby as Llandovery welcomes Carmarthen Quins to Church Bank. The two met earlier in the season at The Park, where The Drovers ran in eight tries, with two coming from 23-year-old Harri Doel in their 54-31 triumph. The last time the Quins won at Church Bank was in 2021 in a Friendly, where they won 33-14.
Llandovery are coming into this game on a winning streak of seven, with their last defeat coming at the hands of second-place Ebbw Vale back in October. Quins go into this game on the back of being knocked out of the Welsh Cup by Merthyr, followed by a 54-24 defeat to Ebbw Vale.
Writers Views:
The last couple of meetings are in favour of the Drovers as they look to stay on top with victory, for the Quins they have not won since the 9th of September when they destroyed Neath away from home in the Welsh Cup 49-14. Llandovery have proven why they are so dominant and one of the best in the Indigo Premiership. I believe this dominance will continue on Saturday with another victory over 12th-place Carmarthen for the Drovers.
Pontypool lock horns with local rivals Newport at Pontypool Park. The last time these two met was on the opening weekend of the season, when The Black and Ambers scored six tries. Lloyd Lewis and Joe Westwood were among the try scores.
This was the first game back in the top flight for Pooler in over 11 years. The last time they had met was back in April of 2012 when Pooler won 27-17.
Poolers’ trip to North Wales to face RGC was postponed due to them being unable to field a front row. Also, having been knocked out early in the Welsh Cup and having a week break has meant they have had numerous weeks on the sidelines.
Their last game was away to Bridgend in late November, where they lost 27-23. The Black and Ambers also travelled to the Brewery Field last time out in the Indigo Premiership and were victorious in front of the TV cameras as they recorded a 57-27 win.
Writers view:
Pontypool have had over three weeks off which isn’t handy, and Newport lost one game away to Llandovery in that period. Considering this, both teams come into this game at Pontypool Park evenly matched and with a big crowd expected. Pontypool just edges it in my opinion but by good faith, it could go either way as both teams have some exceptional talent that will be on display in an absolute Christmas Cracker.
Speaking of Christmas Crackers, Cardiff entertain long standing rivals Pontypridd at the Cardiff Arms Park in front of the TV cameras.
It will be back-to-back Boxing days that Cardiff face The Valley Commandos at the Arms Park. Last season, The Blue and Blacks sealed a 39-13 win.
The last time these two met was in early September at Sardis Road when it finished a 19-19 draw after a late try from Will Keep. Morgan Allen and Dewi Cross scored for Cardiff that day, with the other try coming for Pontypridd by Garyn Smith.
After getting knocked out of the Cup by Ebbw Vale, The Blue and Blacks returned to winning ways last time out against Merthyr at The Wern 45-20.
The Blue and Blacks come into this festive derby with some momentum to build upon. However, The Valley Commandos go into this game on a four-match winning streak after beating RGC 29-17.
This game will be the last game on this blockbuster day of rugby. It is a must win match for Cardiff as they look to build confidence before a long journey to North Wales next time out.
Writers view:
With both teams coming into this game on the back of victories, which sets it up nicely for another entertaining game of rugby. However, I believe that Cardiff will be victorious but will be pushed all the way by a very tough Ponty team.
Merthyr travel into Gwent to face Ebbw Vale at the Ciner Glass Community Stadium and will seek revenge. This is because the last time they encountered one another, The Ironmen took an early 21-0 lead at the halfway stage.
The Steelmen decided to show why they are a top four team and in the second half, Curtis Gregory, Ethan Phillips and Rhys Francis all scored to bring themselves surprisingly back into the game at the Wern.
Evan Lloyd’s trusty boot added to the scoreboard, which meant Ebbw Vale recorded an exceptionally deserved away bonus point win 24-17.
Writers view:
Both of these teams are in the semi-final of the Welsh Cup, which means they have had to play some good rugby. This game will be another close encounter with some high-quality action. However, Ebbw Vale have now had three home games on the bounce, and in my opinion Ebbw Vale comfortably does the double over The Ironmen.
Swansea travel to the Brewery Field for their final away game of 2023. They face Bridgend in another festive derby. The Ravens will be hoping to do the double on the All Whites. The last time they met each other was at St Helen’s, when Luke Price was the hero as he scored 23 of the 28 points all from the tee.
Swansea are coming off a hard-fought victory at the Gnoll against Neath, winning 27-22. The hosts for Saturday’s head-to-head lost last time out to The Black and Ambers 57-27 after a solid second-half performance from the visitors.
Writers view:
With the last result being as close as just a single point, we are definitely in for another close encounter. The Brewery Field is no easy place to go and win, we’ve seen one of the top four in Pontypool recently lose 27-23 at the Brewery Field. I believe Bridgend will do the double on the All Whites, but it will be a close encounter that will probably come down to the finest of margins.
Neath welcome Aberavon for a Boxing Day clash for the first time in six years at the Lexton Gnoll. Aberavon sit four places above The Welsh All Blacks. The hosts sit bottom of the Indigo Premiership as they have yet to pick up a single win this season and are coming off a 27-22 loss to Swansea. Steff Williams was the man to pick up a deserved bonus point after successfully kicking a penalty.
Aberavon are coming off defeats to top-of-the-league Llandovery in both League and Cup but were victorious against a high-flying Ebbw Vale side.
These two last met around the festive period on Boxing Day of 2018, where Neath ran out 36-17 victors; later that season, Neath was again victorious 43-12.
Writer’s View:
This match is a repeat of the first game of the season, where Aberavon won 27-14. Since then, Aberavon have been slightly inconsistent on occasions this season. This could play in favour of Neath if that Aberavon side turns up. However, The Wizards will run out victorious, but it won’t be as comfortable, as Swansea had to work hard at the Gnoll to win so expect the same for Aberavon.
RGC will have the first week of the festive period of big games off as they prepare to welcome the Blue and Blacks to Stadiwm CSM on the 30th of December, which will be live on S4C.
Words By Harry Tovey.
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