Cardiff RFC travel to face WRU Premiership Cup winners Llandovery RFC this Saturday in their Indigo Premiership semi-final playoff where they aim to break the home winning streak of the Drovers that stretches back to March 2023.
The other playoff semi-final sees Newport RFC take on Ebbw Vale RFC at the Newport Stadium at the same time on Saturday.
The Blue and Blacks come into this game on the back of having a three week break, whereas the hosts for Saturday’s encounter have played twice in that time against both Swansea and Bridgend Ravens.
Last time out The Blue and Blacks guaranteed themselves a playoff spot after a commanding first-half performance where they scored six tries. That day saw Dewi Cross score twice and Morgan Allen, Lucas de la Rua, Craig Hudd, Nathan Hudd, Sean Moore all crossed the whitewash as they beat Merthyr 47-24 at the Cardiff Arms Park.
The Drovers on the other hand last time out finished the regular season of Premiership for the first time in first, after putting aside The Ravens 62-13 in front of the S4C cameras.
This will be The Blue and Blacks second visit of the 2023/24 season to Church Bank as the last time they played the Drovers away from home it finished 31-12. In their last meeting back at the start of February it finished 54-26 to the Drovers.
The last time The Blue and Blacks were victorious at Church Bank was back in April 2022 when Mason Grady scored a hat-trick, and Alun Rees, Morgan Allen, Sean Moore, Max Llewelyn all scored as Cardiff recorded a 41-21 win over the Drovers.
Player Thoughts:
Ahead of the trip to Church Bank on Saturday, Luke Pollock gave his thoughts, he stated: “Feels good to make the playoffs. The nature of playing with Cardiff is we are expected to do well- so I’m more relieved we made it, in what has been a challenging season for the team.
“Really happy to get my club cap and tie. 20 games in a season shows some level of resilience so I’m happy with that.”
“The coaches have still backed me when I haven’t played my best rugby which I appreciate.”
When talking about the 2023/24 season, Pollock said :”First season has been tough, lots of ups and downs and overall haven’t been that pleased with my performances but I have learned a lot.”
“I am hoping to take that into next season.”
“Every season I plan to enjoy it and play as much as possible. Personally I wanted to push for a spot with the seniors which I haven’t managed to achieve, this is still a goal I have.”
“So haven’t hit all my goals for the season, but that’s what gives you drive and motivation heading into the next season.”
On Saturday’s opponents, he said: “I want to beat Llandovery. Everyone does in the league. They are the team to beat at the minute.
“Saturday is our best chance of doing it I’m really looking forward to it.”
“Getting into the final would be class for this group, but let’s just focus on beating the Drovers,” he concluded.
Team News:
For Saturday’s huge match head coach, Steve Law makes numerous changes to his starting XV that faced Merthyr almost three weeks ago.
After signing a new deal with the regional side Cardiff Rugby, Rhys Litterick replaces Christian Brooke at tight-head. Also within the front row, Joey Tomlinson makes his return and replaces Alun Rees at hooker.
In the second-row former Wales U20 star Callum Bradbury makes his return to Cardiff RFC from Merthyr and will be joined by Ethan Phillips who comes back into the starting XV in replacement of Craig Hudd.
Sean Moore moves from second-row to the blind-side and will join both Lucas de la Rua and captain Morgan Allen in the back-row.
Within the backline it sees only one change as Joe Goodchild replaces Matty Young at 15 who drops onto the bench.
Cardiff RFC Lineup:
15 Joe Goodchild
14 James Beal
13 Luke Pollock
12 Arron Pinches
11 Dewi Cross
10 Arwel Robson
9 Tom Habberfield
1 Rhys Barratt
2 Joey Tomlinson
3 Rhys Litterick
4 Callum Bradbury
5 Ethan Phillips
6 Sean Moore
7 Lucas De la Rua
8 Morgan Allen (C)
Replacements:
16 Efan Daniel
17 Cam TylerGrocott
18 Tom Harper
19 Evan Rees
20 Tom Rice
21 Joe Williams
22 Harrison James
23 Matty Young
Words By Harry Tovey
HTSPORTSNEWS 