Cardiff RFC will aim to increase the gap between themselves and fifth place as they return to Indigo Premiership action where they travel to Rodney Parade to face second-place Newport.
It will be three weeks on Saturday since The Blue and Blacks last played, whereas the hosts had an away trip to Sardis Road, where they put aside Pontypridd 45-10. On the other hand, Cardiff lost to Pontypool 20-13 last time out.
This will be the third meeting between the two this season and coming into the match on Saturday, it is one win each.
The Black and Ambers won 26-15 the last time these two met. On that occasion both Luke Pollock and Harrison James scored for Cardiff, but tries from Ioan Lloyd, Lloyd Lewis and on-point kicking from Carwyn Penny, meant Newport cruised to victory.
However, in September, The Blue and Blacks recorded a 38-15 bonus point win as they knocked out their old rivals in the Indigo Premiership Cup.
That time around, Morgan Allen, Dewi Cross, Luke Pollock and Alun Rees scored, as they recorded an empathic victory over The Black and Ambers.
The previous five meetings favour The Blue and Blacks, who have won three of the last five. However, the last time Cardiff RFC travelled to Rodney Parade, Newport ran out 36-8 victors.
You have to go back to the 7th of December 2019, when the Blue and Blacks were last victorious at Rodney Parade. That day, James Beal, Evan Yardley, Sam Pailor, and James Thomas scored as Cardiff cruised to a 29-7 bonus-point victory.
Players Chat:
Second-row Sean Moore will be making his 69th appearance in a Blue and Black shirt, and he gave me his thoughts on this weeks encounter.
Moore said: “It’s been alright, we’ve had three weeks between the Pooler and Newport games, so we’ve managed to get some productive sessions leading up to the game against Newport.
“It was a really frustrating game.
“As a whole team, we know we didn’t perform to the standard we expected from ourselves, and we made too many errors, which cost us.
“We were lucky to manage to get the try in the last play to come away with a losing bonus point.
On Saturday’s big game, Moore added: “It’s always a big game when it comes to playing Newport.
“We’ve had a lot of good games over the last 2/3 seasons, and it’s always a big fixture.
“We are looking to write some wrongs from the defeat at the Arms Park earlier this season and hopefully keep pushing to stay in the top four for the playoffs.
“They’re a good, skilful team, and they are going to come to play.
“It will be a physical, high-tempo game, and I know all the boys are looking forward to it.
“After them coming to the Arms Park and beating us earlier in the season, we are looking forward to doing the same at Rodney Parade,” he insisted.
Team News:
Steve Law makes numerous changes to his starting XV, which faced Pontypool last time out. Joey Tomlinson makes his return and will captain the side as he replaces Alun Rees. At tighthead, Freddie Barnes replaces Christian Brooke, who drops to the bench.
Evan Rees makes his full debut as he replaces Morgan Allen at number eight. After winning his club cap against Pontypool, Jacob Lloyd switches with Harrison James, who drops to the bench and will join scrum-half Tom Habberfield in the half-backs.
Jason Harries returns to the starting XV and replaces James Beal, who switches to the left wing. Dewi Cross moves from the wing and replaces Joe Goodchild at fullback, and 23-year-old Jo Hole comes in on the bench.
How the Blue and Blacks line-up
Backs:
15. Dewi Cross
14. Jason Harries
13. Luke Pollock
12. Arron Pinches
11. James Beal
10. Jacob Lloyd
9. Tom Habberfield
Forwards:
1. Cam TylerGrocott
2. Joey Tomlinson (C)
3. Freddie Barnes
4. Sean Moore
5. Ethan Phillips
6. Craig Hudd
7. Nathan Hudd
8. Evan Rees
Replacements:
16. Alun Rees
17. Eddie Drake
18. Christian Brooke
19. Jo Hole
20. Ioan Pascoe
21. Joe Williams
22. Harrison James
23. Kodie Stone
Words By Harry Tovey
HTSPORTSNEWS 