Newport skipper Ben Roach has two big reasons to urge his side on to win the inaugural Super Rygbi Cymru title against Ebbw Vale at Eugene Cross Park on Sunday 18 May (kicks-off 2.30pm).
The first is to round off the world-famous club’s 150th anniversary season in style, making them the best club side in the Principality. The second is to honour the memory of their late president, Brian Jones, who died last month at the age of 89.
Simply known as ‘BJ’ throughout the world of rugby, Jones held every office at the club over the course of his incredible career – player, coach, secretary, chairman and finally president.
He won a Wales cap, played in the Newport team that beat the 1958 Wallabies, was in the Barbarians team that became the only side to beat Avril Malan’s Springboks in 1961 and helped coach the 1963 team that beat the All Blacks.
“Brian used to come to almost every training session and never missed a game. His was a huge presence around the club and the players and he was hugely loved and respected,” said Roach, who scored a hat-trick against Ebbw Vale last time out.
“As much as we want to win the title to crown our 150th season, we also want to do it to pay tribute to Brian. He was ‘Mr Newport’ and his contribution to rugby was immense.
“We know we face a tough challenge to become the first side to win at Ebbw Vale this season, but we managed to cope with them and beat them when we last met in the league at Rodney Parade.”
To reach their goal, Roach’s side will have to overcome an Ebbw Vale side that has remained unbeaten at home all season and has already gone one better than last year, when they went down 28-20 to Newport in the semi-final of the then Indigo Premiership.
Their comeback win over Llandovery in the semi-finals proved their resilience and power and they have already beaten Newport twice this season on their own patch. Head coach Jason Strange believes his team are now ready to step up and sweep the board.
Skipper and hooker Joe Franchi was in the Ebbw side that went to Sardis Road and beat Pontypridd in 2016 to capture the then Principality Premiership title. They were beaten in the SRC Cup final at Llandovery but gained ample revenge last weekend when they dumped the Drovers out of the main competition.
“There are a lot of comparisons between this season’s run to the final at 2016. We had to beat a very good Llandovery side in the semi-final then and there is a similar feel within this group,” said Franchi, who is the top scorer in the tournament with 20 tries.
“We had two very good front rows nine years ago and it is the same now, although I think our game is a bit more rounded under Jason Strange. He has done an amazing job since coming back to the club.
“He is such a good coach on so many fronts. We do a lot more analysis now and I think we are more professional in how we approach most aspects.
“Jason is also very big on culture and encourages us to spend as much time as we can together away from the club. He’s from the town, loves the club and has made a huge difference since he came in two seasons ago.
“His ability to identify local talent and bring it through is remarkable. He knows how to polish rough diamonds.
“Our scrum half Gruff Tough is one of those examples. He plucked him out of obscurity at Glamorgan Wanderers and he has been great for us this season.
“He has also helped to push Harry Rees-Weldon and Owen Conquer into senior academy contracts at the Dragons and we have a number of other players who certainly wouldn’t look out of place at that level given the chance.
“One of those is the Canadian international back row man Sion Parry, who has enjoyed a great season with us. He could easily step up into the regional game.”
Ewan Bowden is the only change in the Ebbw side from the semi-final, taking over from Ieuan Evans on the right wing. Centre Ethan Phillips will celebrate his 100th appearance for The Steelmen and back row forward Cam Regan will hang up his boots at the end of the game having made more than 200 appearances for the club.
Ebbw Vale: Morgan Richards; Ewan Bowden, Ethan Phillips, Dom Franchi, Ryan Gardner; Evan Lloyd, Gruff Tough; Luke Garrett, Joe Franchi (captain), Adam Williams, Dylan Bartlett, Curtis Gregory, Jack Pope, Sion Parry, Ryan Jenkins
Reps: Ieuan Morris, Morgan Williams, Adam Court, Cam Regan, Lewis Young. Rory Harries, Cam Davies, Matt JonesNewport: Carwyn Penny; David Richards, Jon Morris, Chay Foster-Smith, Iestyn Galton; Jac Lloyd, Dafydd Buckland; Tom Devine, Tyler Olding, Ollie Drake, Josh Skinner, Max Williams, George Young, Kyle Tayler, Ben Roach (captain)
Reps: Wade Langley, Tom Workman, Garin Harris, Rhys Jenkins, Josh Reid, Luke Crane, Matt O’Brien, Elliot Frewen