Cardiff RFC will be aiming to extend their winning streak as they go toe-to-toe with Neath who sit at the bottom of the table on 12 points.
Last time out against The Welsh All Blacks, Cardiff secured a bonus point 49-28 win. That day saw Alun Rees score a hat-trick, with the other tries coming from Dewi Cross, Morgan Allen and Luke Pollock.
Prior to that meeting The Blue and Blacks last played Neath twice in the season of 2018-19 when Cardiff recorded 2 bonus point wins, 59-17 away and 74-7 at home. That season the Blue and Blacks finished second and Neath were relegated.
Recently, The Welsh All Blacks have had back-to-back wins over the festive period, beating Aberavon 24-19 and Merthyr 19-14. This winning streak came to an end at the expense of Pontypridd last time out.
Nathan Hudd interview:
Nathan Hudd made his Cardiff debut against Llanelli in January of 2019. He has been ever present in the back row since that time. The 26-year-old has scored twice this season for The Blue and Blacks.
Reflecting on last time out, Hudd said: “Ebbw Vale was a massive win for us as a squad after a poor performance away in RGC
“Hopefully we can use it as a stepping stone to push on for the second half of the season
“As we want to finish as high up the league table as possible”, he added.
Hudd said: “Neath away will always be a tough encounter
“But we are aiming to make it back to back away wins in the league”, he stated.
“Personally my aims as a player never change season to season.
“I like to think I leave a lot on the field.
“And do the best I can for the team each week and hopefully thats enough in the end for Cardiff to be where they should be challenging for a title every season”, he concluded.
Team News
Steve Law makes five changes to his starting side that put an end to Ebbw Vale’s winning streak last time out.
Joey Tomlinson returns to captain the side after a heroic performance last time out, Jamie Hill comes in at scrum-half for Tom Habberfield who drops to the bench.
James Beal returns to the wing after being on the sidelines due to injury. 26-year-old, Arwel Robson replaces Harrison James at flyhalf.
Cameron Tyler-Grocott will get his first start in a Blue and Black shirt this weekend as he has been impressive for Glamorgan Wanderers in the Championship.
He replaces 21-year-old Rhys Barratt at loose-head. Whilst at tight-head Christian Brooke gets his first start since the Aberavon game as he replaces Will Davies-King.
Cardiff RFC starting 15:
15. Jacob Lloyd
14. James Beal
13. Luke Pollock
12. Jason Harries
11. Joe Goodchild
10. Arwel Robson
9. Jamie Hill
1. Cameron Tyler-Grocott
2. Joey Tomlinson (C)
3. Christian Brooke
4. Sean Moore
5. Ethan Phillips
6. Craig Hudd
7. Nathan Hudd
8. Tom Rice
Replacements:
16. Alun Rees
17. Eddie Drake
18. Freddie Barnes
19. Johan Hoogendoorn
20. Ioan Pascoe
21. Tom Habberfield
22. Harrison James
23. Joe Davies
Words By Harry Tovey
HTSPORTSNEWS 