Match Preview – Cardiff RFC v Ebbw Vale RFC

Cardiff vs Ebbw Vale preview

By Alex Kinsella-Evans

The Steelmen travel to the capital for Saturday`s game looking to make amends for last seasons two narrow defeats.

After a Bonus Point against Pontypridd RFC last weekend, Head Coach Jason Strange makes two changes to the Steelmen squad with Rhys Francis returning on the bench and Carrick McDonough being listed in the squad for the first time this season. Dom Franchi will continue as captain of the team.

The Ebbw Vale team is as follows:

Backs

15.  Morgan Richards  14. Harry Rees-Weldon  13. Ethan Phillips  12. Dominic Franchi  11. Ryan Davies  10. Evan Lloyd  9. Jon Evans

Forwards

1.   Luke Garrett  2. Ieuan Morris  3. Harry Drane  4. Dylan Bartlett  5. Curtis Gregory  6. Cameron Regan  7. Lewis Young  8. Ryan Jenkins

Replacements (TBC) 

From: Rhys Francis,  Morgan Davies,   Adam Court,  Jakub Malecki,  Chad Thomas,  Rory Harries,  Kieran Meek,  Gethin Williams, Carrick McDonough

During the build up to the game we spoke with team manager Dan Haymond.

Dan believes the team can take a lot of confidence from the Pontypridd game, going into this week`s game at Cardiff. He thought after Pontypridd scored their two tries inside the first ten minutes, there was only one side in the game.

Dan acknowledged the slow starts in the two games to date are something the team will be working hard to put right, not only this week but also going forward. Especially as Cardiff are not a team you can gift points to early on and expect to come away with a win.

He stated the squad are looking at themselves and what they are good at and aim to put that into practice come game day. The squad know if they can put into practice what they do in training and have done all summer then they can beat anyone.

Finally, Dan thought the best part of the Pontypridd performance was the squad’s conditioning. By half time he believed the Steelmen would come away with the win due to the squad’s superior fitness and conditioning, which they were able to do.

The game at the Arms Park kicks off at 2.30pm.

The Addicts bus is FULL for the trip to Cardiff tomorrow.

For supporters travelling to the capital for the game, the address for The Arms Park is: Westgate St, Cardiff CF10 1JA