This will be a repeat of last year’s final in Cardiff which saw Gerwyn Price win 6-3.
Aspinall said: “I Can’t wait, doing all of this media gives you the butterflies knowing it’s starting tomorrow”.
“I’ve played in the Premier League three times now and I’ve got a good record”.
“I don’t think many have got better one than me, and last year I missed out on a playoff spot by leg difference.”
“I definitely want to go further and win the whole thing”, he added.
Talking about the past two World Series events he said: “The heads good, I thought I played well in Bahrain but last weekend was not the best.”
“I didn’t really want to be there, it was more of an inconvenience more than anything, but it is what it is”, he said.
Aspinall continued by stating: “That my head is in a really good place, I know what I am doing on the board and I have made little tweaks to my setup”, he said.
He insisted: “It’s nothing major like changing a dart like Peter Wright, I’ve done it as I feel a lot more comfortable”.
Last year Nathan Aspinall reached the final where he lost out to Gerwyn Price 6-3, when Talking about his Premier League campaign last year, he said: “I have learnt from last year, my mindset was solely on the first game of the evening just to get the two points”.
“I’m going to treat the nights differently to how I treated them last year”, he concluded.
Rob Cross will take on two time World Champion Peter Wright in the opening match of the BetMGM Premier League in Cardiff.
Cross said: “Obviously I’m excited, I really wanted it this year and sort of went from strength-to-strength at the back end of last year “.
“I’ve played well and I am just enjoying the game at the moment”, he insisted.
This will be “Voltage” first appearance under the new format of the Premier League, he said: “The last time I was here I didn’t do myself enough justice and didn’t really put my best foot forward and found it a little bit tough.”
“It’s going to be different, but I think it’s going to be cutthroats here and there but there always is”, he added.
Rob Cross stated: “You got eight of the best players in the world, if it’s not tough it’s not normal.”
Talking more on the new format, he said: “ I prefer a knockout format as you get a winner.”
“You used to just play one game and then go back and then go to another venue and play another game.”
“At least we get a winner”, he added.
Rob Cross recently made the last four of the World Darts Championship and lost out to a certain seventeen-year-old in a high quality affair.
Cross stated: “Back end of last year I was playing some decent darts, so I think I was mentally ready to play the Premier League again”.
“I’m in a different place mentally, and I am confident and feeling better”.
He concluded with saying: “ I’ve been close but I still got another gear or two which I think will help.”
Both men have met three times in the last few weeks with Luke Littler winning the most recent encounter 6-5 in Den Bosch.
Littler said: “After the World Championships my manager took me to one side and said do you want to do it and I answered back with why not”.
“It may never happen again, so to get the opportunity let’s grab it and take it while I can”, he added.
The seventeen-year-old will be sharing the Premier League stage with seven of the best players in the world, he said: “ I’ve already beaten five of them over the last two weeks, so I know I can beat anyone when I know I’m on it”.
“Also the seven other guys are going to be on it every week”, he said.
Since that World Championship final “The Nuke has already won his first title TV title of 2024 as he put aside Micheal van Gerwen in Bahrain to become the youngest World Series winner.
He said: “Going over to Bahrain and Den Bosch, gave me a lot of confidence as I have already beaten Gezzy (Gerwyn Price) twice and also beating both Michael Van Gerwen and Nathan Aspinall.”
“It’s just given me a confidence boost as I know how to beat them”, he added.
Last time out Littler lost to Michael Van Gerwen 6-5 in a unbelievable final, he said: “It was one of them, it went leg by leg and then at the end I went off 180, Michael comes back with a 180”.
“I hit sloppy scores which left me on a 170 and I missed the bull for the match.”
“It’s what Michael does to you, he’ll pressure you and then he’ll do a job on you”, he added.
Littler concluded with stating: “Even if I’m losing games with a 100 average never mind a 106 I’m happy”.
“I know my game is there right now, I loss with a 106 average over 14-15 legs, with this only being the first to six it suits me”.
“Whenever I practice at home I always do the best of 11 legs as that’s what the Pro Tour is like, he stated.
Reigning champion Michael van Gerwen will begin his 2024 BetMGM Premier League campaign with a quarter-final tie against the 2023 World Champion Michael Smith.
Van Gerwen said: “It’s definitely going to be a long seventeen weeks, but I think it’s good for darts as we are playing the highest quality of players week in week out and that’s what the fans want,” he said.
The number one Dutchman has won the Premier League a record seven times and will be aiming to win it for a eighth time.
He said: “This is the second biggest tournament after the World Championships.”
“It would be nice to win again but we are seventeen weeks away so we’re going to see”.
“I am feeling comfortable and winning always means a lot to me and that’s the way it is.”
He insisted: “I’m always the man to beat, you can ask any player they always like to beat me, that’s how it is.”
“I’d rather them say someone else than me, but that would be a lie”, he said.
The Dutchman comes into this on the back of winning the Dutch Masters for the very first time, he said: “It’s always a boost and to do it in your home country is always nice and gives you confidence and of going into the Premier League”.
“You need to have the confidence as it is going to be a tough 17 weeks, but I am up for it”, he concluded.
The Blue and Blacks hooker, Alun Rees gave me his thoughts ahead of the visit of The Drovers this evening.
Cardiff come into this game on the back of winning 38-23 against Bridgend Ravens at the Cardiff Arms Park. Whereas the visitors made the long journey to North Wales to face RGC and like the The Blue and Blacks they recorded a bonus point win.
Alun Rees said: “It was a good win against a good Bridgend team”.
“We may have left a few points out there but we kept our winning run going and got 5 points in the end which was the most important thing”, he added.
“The boys are all looking forward to the run in towards the end of the season”.
“It feels like we’re hopefully hitting some form at the right time and it’ll be important for us to keep that going to secure a play off spot and hopefully we can get into a potential the semi-final”, Rees said.
Llandovery sit top of the Indigo Premiership table on 70 points whereas The Blue and Blacks sit in fourth on 52 points.
Rees said: “It’s always going to be a tough game against Llandovery.
“They have been the in form team in the league over the last two season.
“Their expansive game is well known but they’ve also got an excellent pack and good driving game so it’ll be tough all over the park.
“We are a bit low on the ground in terms of numbers, but we will go in to throw a few shots and hopefully come out on top, he added.
Cardiff RFC vs Bridgend Ravens
On Saturday, Joey Tomlinson who was stretchered off the pitch against The Ravens.
He said: “It’s tough seeing anyone have an injury like Joey did, but we were all glad to get the message that he had the all clear.
“Hopefully he is back on the pitch as soon as possible”, he added.
Quick fire questions with Alun:
He said: “My aims are to to play as well as possible and hopefully contribute to us winning some silverware.
When talking about his favourite memories in a Blue and Black shirt, Rees said: “It would be between three moments.
“Number one beating Merthyr to win the league
“Number two winning the cup last year
“Finally, Morgan Allen falling down the stairs at the Gnoll a few weeks ago”, he concluded.
The 2024 BetMGM Premier League roadshow begins in Cardiff as we see a repeat of both the 2023 and 2024 World Darts Championships Final in night one.
Newly crowned Dutch Darts Masters and reigning Premier League Champion, Michael Van Gerwen will take on Michael Smith in a repeat of the 2023 World Darts Championships Final.
Seventeen-year-old, Luke Littler will be the youngest ever dart player to play in Premier League of Darts.
“The Nuke” will play the reigning World Champion Luke Humphries, this tie will see both embark on their Premier League journey for the very first time. This will be a repeat of the historic World Championship final which saw Humphries win 7-4.
Both have met three times this year with the latest result going in favour of Littler, as he was victorious 6-5 in Den Bosch last time out on the World Series.
Home favourite Gerwyn Price will play the reigning World Matchplay Champion, Nathan Aspinall in a replay of last year’s final in Cardiff. That saw the Welshmen win 6-3.
BetMGM Premier League Trophy
Former two-time World Champion, Peter Wright will be embarking on his 11th Premier League Campaign as he comes up against Rob Cross. This will be the first appearance for “Voltage” since 2021. Both men come into this game after early exits at the last World Series event in Den Bosch.
Night One – Utilita Arena, Cardiff Thursday February 1 Quarter-Finals Peter Wright v Rob Cross Gerwyn Price v Nathan Aspinall Michael van Gerwen v Michael Smith Luke Littler v Luke Humphries
Semi-Finals Wright or Cross v Price or Aspinall Van Gerwen or Smith v Littler or Humphries
Final Wright, Cross, Price, Aspinall will play either Van Gerwen, Smith Littler, Humphries
Warren Gatland and his fellow coaching team over the next three days, will decide who will be selected to start in the Six Nations opener against Scotland on Saturday.
Image Courtesy of Welsh Rugby Union
I look at all the ifs, buts and maybe’s and who I believe should be on that pitch come 16:45 on Saturday.
15. Josh Adams- Cardiff Rugby, 53 Caps
Before the announcement of Louis Rees-Zammit departing Rugby Union to venture into the world of the NFL, I would have said the 22-year-old would be almost inevitable be in the starting XV against Scotland.
However, his move to America has created an opportunity for Josh Adams, who I believe will move from the wing to start at fullback. This is because the other two options are uncapped Cameron Winnett, who we will not see until at least round three due to a jaw injury, or Dragon’s Cai Evans, who debuted in a World Cup warm-up match last summer. Both have yet to get enough exposure on the international stage, which will be needed against Gregor Townsend’s side.
This leaves the 28-year-old who reads the game very well. He is an excellent ball carrier who has formidable scoring record who has had 53 appearances for his country and has scored 105 points. One other aspect of his game that he is very strong defensively.
14. Rio Dyer- Dragons, 14 Caps
With Zammit way out of the equation for the foreseeable future, the Dragons superstar will be a considerable amount of pressure to deliver most of the highlights at this year’s Six Nations, as Dyer has some serious pace and is excellent in the air.
If picked, Dyer will make his 15th appearance, and after scoring four times in a short period with his footwork and awareness, the 24-year-old will be up for the task against Scotland.
13. George North- Ospreys, 118 Caps
Out of all the players in my predicted lineup, North is one of the more experienced players in this new-look Gatland’s squad. The 31-year-old has made 118 appearances and has scored 235 points.
Image of George North- Courtesy of Welsh Rugby Union
North will be more equipped to play outside centre as his career continues. The Osprey man has a move to Pro D2 on the horizon and will need to use his experience, as his skills will play a massive part. Defensively, he will need to step up more.
12. Nick Tompkins- Saracens, 32 Caps
One of Wales’s stand-out player at the last Rugby World Cup, Tompkins will undoubtedly be up for the fight. The Saracens man played a massive part in the wins over Fiji and Australia at the World Cup.
I believe that Tompkins should be picked with the lack of experience in Gatland’s squad, he and his counterpart North should be stalwarts in the starting XV throughout the Championship.
11. Mason Grady- Cardiff Rugby, 6 Caps
Interestingly, if Gatland picks the Cardiff Rugby man to start, it would mean that Grady will play on the wing for the first time for his country.
Like Rio Dyer, Grady is a massive attacking threat, and for someone who has been so impressive for Cardiff Rugby in the URC, I have no doubt that the 21-year-old will be a stalwart in the Welsh squad for years to come.
10. Sam Costelow- Scarlets, 8 Caps
With Dan Biggar and Gareth Anscombe not in the picture for this year’s Six Nations and with the only other experienced flyhalf, Owen Williams is still establishing himself on the international stage and this creates a massive opportunity for the youngman.
Image of Sam Costelow- courtesy of Welsh Rugby Union
The Scarlets man must step up if he wants to play consistently for Wales. Even though the 23-year-old has spent a lot of time on the sidelines since the Barbarians game in November, he is an excellent playmaker who reads the game so well and, therefore should lead to some good decision-making.
With him being the only one on the field that kicks at goal, this will be an area that he and Neil Jenkins will work massively to improve consistency at goal.
9. Tomos Williams- Cardiff Rugby, 53 Caps
This position is the more difficult to call, this because the experienced Gareth Davies would have been a no-brainer, but due to Gatland looking more to the future. I believe he will go with the younger man by four years, who is playing some of his best rugby of his career to date.
Williams is up there with some of the best nines in the world, and I am confident that the 29-year-old will be heading to Australia with the British and Irish Lions next summer. He has been immense for Cardiff Rugby this season, scoring three tries in just six regional appearances.
Like his half-back counterpart, Williams has a great rugby IQ and isn’t afraid to make a quick dash if he sees an opportunity to exploit the opposition’s defence.
8. Aaron Wainwright- Dragons, 43 Caps
After signing a new two-year contract with the Dragons, the 26-year-old will be heavily reliant on this year’s Six Nations due to the absence of Taulupe Faletau. The move from blindside to No 8 will suit the Dragon’s back-rower as he has had many opportunities, such as against England last summer, where he was a class act at No 8.
He carried this form into the World Cup in France, where he did much of the unsung work as Wales reached a surprising quarter-final. Wainwright has always been impressive when he wears that red jersey, as he carries a lot of pride when enters that field.
He has a tremendous defensive game and, unlike many number eights, he has shown some brilliant footwork that he learnt when he played football when he was younger.
Picture of Aaron Wainwright- courtesy of Welsh Rugby Union
7. Tommy Reffell- Leicester Tigers, 13 Caps
With many injuries around this area of the team, it is almost certain that Wainwright will be starting at No. 8. With this move, it creates opportunities at openside for players like Tommy Reffell, who has only made 13 appearances
The 24-year-old has been one of the stand-out players not just for Leicester Tigers but also in the Gallagher Premiership for a number of years. How he approaches each game favours him being at the top of the selectors mind.
Like Wainwright and many others in my starting XV, he has an outstanding work rate, and his breakdown skills are up there with the best in the Northern Hemisphere.
6. Taine Basham- Dragons, 16 Caps
With no Jac Morgan, which is a significant blow to the Welsh squad, 24-year-old Basham is an exceptional talent to replace him. The Dragons man has made 16 appearances and is really solid defensively and is up there with the best at turning over the ball at the breakdown area.
There is no doubt that Morgan will be missed, but somebody like Basham, leaves everything on the pitch in my opinion is a no-brainer for Gatland’s XV. My only concern with Basham would be his discipline as he has recently received one red card this year in the URC against Leinster.
5. Dafydd Jenkins (C)- Exeter Chiefs, 12 Caps
Gatland said he was looking to the future, and he has done this by naming the 21-year-old the captain which almost certainly cements him in the starting lineup.
Jenkins plies his trade with English Premiership side Exeter Chiefs, and when looking at his attributes defensively, he always seems to put in a good shift. He is an excellent ball carrier, which is much needed when you play teams like Scotland. I don’t expect him to shy away from the contact area.
Image Courtesy of Welsh Rugby Union
4. Will Rowlands- Racing 92, 29 Caps
This was a much harder call as I was almost sure that Adam Beard would be named as captain, but with Jenkins getting the nod instead, I can only see Will Rowlands joining him in the second row.
Rowlands like Jenkins plies his trade outside of Wales with Racing 92, where he has been playing a lot of high-quality rugby week in and week out. He is a quality lineout operator; whenever he carries, he always gets over the gain line.
He adds so much to the breakdown area, like so many of my selected forwards. He brings so much quality to the table, which needs to be there for Wales from the first whistle, and that’s why I would drop Beard to the bench.
3. Keiron Assiratti- Cardiff Rugby, 2 Caps
After making his debut last summer, the Cardiff tighthead has some excellent skills to bring international stage. As shown in some of his URC matches this season, the 26-year-old has surprisingly got excellent handling skills for a forward.
The front row will be crucial to Wales’s success at this year’s Six Nations as if they want to get off to winning ways, being strong at the scrum is a must and can sometimes be the difference between winning or losing.
2. Ryan Elias- Scarlets, 38 Caps
Elias will be a stalwart in selection for Gatland as the Carmarthen-born showed a lot of class at last year’s World Cup, with good lineout success and defensive work rate.
Image Courtesy of Welsh Rugby Union
He will be pushed throughout the campaign as both Evan Lloyd and Elliot Dee will make sure the competition is hot at hooker. Prior to World Cup There were concerns over his throwing-in ability at the lineouts.
During the last few appearances for his country, the 29-year-old has shined, and he will play a vital part in ensuring the defence stands firmly against Scotland’s attack.
1. Gareth Thomas- Ospreys, 26 Caps
Going up against Scotland’s Zander Fagerson is no easy task, but the 30-year-old is a world-class operator at the scrum and will most definitely be one of Wales’s unsung heroes at this year’s Championship.
With his counterpart Assiratti potentially starting his first Six Nations game, Thomas will play a massive role in leading and supporting the inexperienced Assiratti from the first whistle.
The visitors scored the afternoon’s first points as Jamin Hodgkins converted a penalty kick.
Soon after the referee Adam Jones awarded The Blue and Blacks a penalty just inside their own half, Arwel Robson kicked to the corner putting The Blue and Blacks five metres away from the visitors line.
After successfully gathering at the lineout a powerful driving maul followed, and Alun Rees crossed for the afternoon’s first try for the hosts.
Next, Joe Goodchild kicked upfield after good handling skills through the backline. However the visitors hooker, Evan Yardley took out the 25-year-old, and referee Jones awarded the visitors a yellow card.
Later the home side were awarded a penalty at the scrum, captain Tom Habberfield decided to take another scrum just inside the visitors 22.
With the one-man advantage, Habberfield went blind and drew the defender for Joe Goodchild to cross in the corner for his fourth of the season. Before Yardley could return, flyhalf Hodgkins converted another three points for the visitors.
Bridgend looked to be searching for their first try of the afternoon after a brilliant break from Jordan Collier. With the visitor’s metres out from the try line, inside centre Jason Harries was penalised and awarded a yellow card after not rolling away at the ruck.
With the home side now down to fourteen men, Bridgend kicked to the corner and, after a strong driving maul, The Blue and Black’s defence shined as they held the ball up over the line.
HT: Cardiff 14-6 Bridgend
Just like in the first half, Jamin Hodgkins scored the first points and returned the visitors to within five points.
After brilliant build-up play, Nathan Hudd powered his way over to score the home side’s third try of the game. Soon after with a brilliant cross-field kick, Joe Goodchild successfully gathered and sprinted over the visitor’s line to secure The Blue and Blacks a bonus point.
Just like the previous try, Arwel Robson cross-field kicked the ball, and it bounced up into the hands of Harrison James, who crossed to score on his 50th appearance.
Later on in the half, Chris Williams took the ball quickly from the ruck and sneaked over for the visitor’s first try of the afternoon.
Before the replacement flyhalf, Paul Short could add the extras urgent medical attention was needed for Joey Tomlinson. After being treated Tomlinson ended up getting stretchered off the pitch to a massive applause from the spectators.
Subsequently, Tommy Morgan was the next man to score for the visitors as they looked to finish the afternoon on the front foot. However, after back-to-back penalties inside the Ravens 22 with the clock nearly in red, Harrison James eventually converted the three points, which ended a very comfortable win for The Blue and Blacks.
With the final whistle blown The Blue and Blacks wish a speedy recovery for Joey Tomlinson.
The World Series of darts returns to the Netherlands for the second staging of the Toto Dutch Masters at De Maasport in Den Bosch.
Image Courtesy of Toto Darts
Number one seed Luke Littler will take on Dirk van Duijvenbode in a stand-out tie. The 17-year-old will look to make it back-to-back World Series wins.
“The Nuke” made his debut in the World Series of Darts in Bahrain last week where he pinned a nine darter in the first leg of the match against Nathan Aspinall. Later he went on to beat three-time World Champion Michael Van Gerwen in the final.
After making it to final of the Bahrain Darts Masters, Michael Van Gerwen will take on his close friend Vincent Van Der Voort for a place in the quarter finals.
Another stand out tie will see former World Champion Rob Cross take on Raymond Van Barneveld. The winner will have the right to play either Dutch number one Van Gerwen or Van Der Voort on Saturday night.
The World number one and World Champion Luke Humphries will look to get back to winning ways as he faces Jermaine Wattimena. Whereas, Michael Smith will take on the World Youth Championship runner-up Gian Van Veen in another close match.
Defending Champion Dimitri Van den Bergh will open his title defence against Welshmen Gerwyn Price. This will be the pairs fifth meeting on the World Series stage.
World Series debutant Kevin Doets will take on Peter Wright. Elsewhere Nathan Aspinall will take on former UK open Champion Danny Noppert in a mouth watering first round tie.
Head coach Steve Law makes six changes to his starting 15 who were victorious at the Lextan Gnoll last time out.
At hooker, Alun Rees replaces Joey Tomlinson who drops to the bench. Both Rhys Barratt and Freddie Barnes replace Christian Brooke and Cam TylerGrocott at tight-head and loose-head.
After coming on early last time out, Ioan Pascoe comes into the starting lineup at blindside as Craig Hudd replaces Tom Rice at number eight.
Steve Law makes two changes to the backline with Harrison James moving back into the starting 15 as he replaces Luke Pollock at outside centre. Tom Habberfield replaces Jamie Hill at scrum-half and will also captain The Blue and Blacks.
Both sides met earlier in the season at the Dunraven Brewery Field where The Blue and Blacks ran out 37-32 winners. That was Cardiff’s first away win of the season.
On that occasion both Harrison James and James Beal score their first tries of the season. Whilst Dewi Cross was also one of the try scorers with Will Davies-King securing a bonus point win.
Cardiff come into this game on the back of two impressive bonus point wins against Ebbw Vale and Neath away from home.
Bridgend will be coming into this game on the back of winning their first game since the end of November after putting aside Pontypridd 15-13 last week.
With this strong start to 2024, The Blue and Blacks sit in fourth place on 47 points and are now eight points clear of Pontypool who sit in fifth place. Whilst, Bridgend sit in ninth place on 32 points after only winning six games this season.
HTSPORTSNEWS 