The Welsh Rugby’s Union’s innovative ‘Road to Principality 2025’, sponsored by Go.Compare, resumes next week and takes a slight detour to Rodney Parade for the next series of finals.
Principality Stadium, the home of Welsh rugby, has already been host to a series of exciting finals and now joins forces with Newport’s iconic Rodney Parade to continue to run a range of prestigious fixtures this May.
Rodney Parade, the home of Dragons and Newport County, has hosted senior Wales women’s and men’s internationals already this season, with Harry Beddall’s Wales U20 side beating Ireland in their recently completed Six Nations campaign.
The finals at Rodney Parade kick-off on Bank Holiday Monday (May 5) and will see three youth finals take place. Abercynon meet Llantrisant in the Shield final, Llanishen take on Cardiff Quins in the Bowl final and Gorseinon face Barry in the Plate finals.
On Tuesday, May 6 there are three girls schools finals taking place. Haverfordwest High School meet Ysgol Godre’r Berwyn in the U12 cup final, Ysgol Bro Pedr take on Ysgol Bryn Celynnog in the U14 cup final and Ysgol Cwm Rhymni face Ysgol Bro Dur in the U16 cup final.
The weekend of Saturday, May 10 and Sunday, May 11 will feature four more senior men’s finals as the games between teams in Division Five up to Division Two take centre stage.
Tickets for the finals on May 10 and 11 are priced at £15 for adults and £5 for under-16s – CLICK HERE to buy.
The programme will end of Thursday, May 22 with an Inclusion Day that will include Ethnically Diverse Schools Engagement, and International Gay Rugby match and a mixed ability rugby game.
Rhys Blumberg, CEO at Dragons RFC, said: “We’re delighted to be able to offer our home for a week of exciting fixtures as we become heavily involved in the ‘Road to Principality’ tournament.
“We know Rodney Parade will provide a perfect setting for these finals and wish all the finalists the very best of luck as we celebrate the best in grassroots rugby.”
WRU Community Director Geraint John, added: “We are delighted that Dragons RFC have been able to join forces with us in providing their superb venue for a week of fixtures.
Rodney Parade is one of the most historic of sporting venues in Wales and as an international venue in its own right will provide a great setting for a range of our finals.”
WRU National Finals 2025 at Rodney Parade (7 days, 15 finals)
Monday, May 5
Boys U18: Youth Shield Final (11am) – Abercynon vs Llantrisant.
Boys U18: Youth Bowl Final (1.15pm) – Llanishen vs Cardiff Quins
Boys U18: Youth Plate Final (3.30pm) – Gorseinon vs Barry
Tuesday, May 6
Girls Schools: U12 Cup Final (1.30pm) – Haverfordwest High School v Ysgol Godre’r Berwyn
Girls Schools: U14 Cup Final (3pm) – Ysgol Bro Pedr v Ysgol Bryn Celynnog
Girls Schools: U16 Cup Final (5pm) – Ysgol Cwm Rhymni v Ysgol Bro Dur
Saturday, May 10
Men’s Division 5 Cup Final (1pm) – Cardiff Met Athletic vs St Peters Athletic
Men’s Division 4 Cup Final (3pm) – Seven Sisters vs Gwernyfed
Sunday, May 11
Men’s Division 3 Cup Final (1pm) – Cardigan vs Newport Saracens
Men’s Division 2 Cup Final (3pm) – Caerphilly vs St Albans
Wednesday, May 21
WSRU Junior Group: U11 DC Thomas Bowl Final (11.30am)
WSRU Junior Group: U11 DC Thomas Plate Final (1pm)
WSRU Junior Group: U11 DC Thomas Cup Final (2.30pm)
*Men’s Inter-District Cup Final (7.15pm)
Thursday, May 22
Ethnically Diverse Schools Engagement (12-3pm)
Fit, Fed, Fun Provision (4-5.30pm)
IGR Match (6-7.30pm)
Mixed Ability Match (8pm)