For a team that couldn’t buy a win at the start of the season Ty Morris’ Newport side have staged a miraculous recovery and will go into the Super Rygbi Cup final with every chance of upsetting the holders Llandovery at the Arms Park (Saturday, 7 March – 5.30pm).
In what will be a re-match of the 2024 Indigo Premiership final that was won 14-7 by Llandovery at Church Bank, the Black & Ambers come in as one of the form teams in both league and cup. After losing their opening five games in SRC, they have won 10 and drawn one of their last 12 matches.
No wonder Drovers head coach Euros Evans is a self-confessed admirer of the work done by his counterpart Morris at Newport. It is 2-0 to the west Walians in their encounters to date this season – 22-19 at Llandovery and 27-20 at Newport Stadium – but anything could happen.
“They have a great programme at Newport and the interaction between the club and the region works really well for both,” said Evans.
“They are always tough up-front,and they also have a very capable back line. We know we are going to have to be at our very best to hold onto the trophy.”
Both teams had to dig deep in the semi-finals. Ioan Hughes kicked a last play penalty to secure a 26-24 home win over Pontypool, while the Black & Ambers went into added time before finally overcoming Ebbw Vale 48-34.
Morris has a back line bristling with former Wales U20 players and has Oli Andrew back in harness on the wing. Harri Ackerman was one of the stand-out performers in the win over The Steelmen and will be hoping to use this game to promote his chances of breaking back into the Dragons midfield.
The Plate final sees RGC meet Swansea (2.30pm) in another fascinating battle. It will be the first final for RGC wince they famously won the cup in 2017.
“It is our first final in nine years, and one we are immensely proud to be a part of. We go into the game on the back of a strong performance against Bridgend in the semi-final,” said RGC head coach, Jon Callard.
“Finals are, in many ways, a test of learning and adaptability. They present a unique challenge, but one that should be embraced and enjoyed.
“They are judgement day, a chance to measure the progress we’ve made and to test ourselves in a winner-takes-all environment.”
SRC CUP FINAL TEAMLlandovery: Kian Abraham; Harri Doel, Corey Baldwin, Rhodri Jones, Llien Morgan; Ioan Hughes, Lee Rees (captain); Jamie Hughes, Cam Lewis, Berian Watkins, Griff Evans, Joe Powell, Osian Davies, Stuart Worrall, Evan Sheldon
Reps: Harry Thomas, Tom Phillips, Gabe Hawley, Harry Holden, Tiaan Sparrow, Adam Warren, Jack Maynard, George Macdonald
Newport: Carwyn Penny; Oli Andrew, Harri Ackerman, Harrison James, Morgan Williams; Jac Lloyd, Dafydd Buckland; Tom Devine, Henry Palmer, Garin Harris, Josh Skinner, Callum Bradbury, Hunter Ward, Kyle Tayler, Ben Roach (captain)
Reps: Wade Langley, Harry Fry, Ollie Drake, Ioan Rhys Davies, Josh Reid, Tiger Chatham, Lucus Welch, Tom HoppeSRC PLATE FINAL TEAMSRGC: Dion Jones; Sam Jones, Danny Cross, Delwyn Jones, Caio Parry; Billy McBryde, Tudur Jones; Gareth Parry, Jac Petch-Jones, Pedr Jones, Billy McQueeney, Harper Chamberlain, Dafydd Thirsk, Charlie Probert, Sam Williams
Reps: Osian Burt, Jesse Williams, Paddy Nelson, Will Kellett, Celt Ffransis-Roberts, Connor Dever, Afon Bagshaw, Louis Williams
Swansea: Mat Protheroe; Brandon Wood, Callum Carson, Joe Thomas, Harri Houston; Josh Phillipos (co-captain), Matthew Aubrey; Daf Davies, Rhodri King, Kian Hire, Chris Thompson, Ben Roberts, Iwan Shenton, Callum Bowden (co-captain), Jacob Hopkins
Reps: Logan Lloyd, Tom Crockett, Ed Thompson, Jake Roberts, Oliver Jones, Iwan Temblett, Jack Hoskins, Liam Lloyd