RGC swap one flying wing for another as Cornelius joins from Ospreys
They may have lost top try scorer Caio Parry to the Dragons, but RGC have moved swiftly to find a suitable replacement by recruiting Wales U20 cap Ieuan Cornelius.
The 21 year-old, who can play across the back line joins with an impressive background across both rugby and athletics. Born in New Zealand and proudly half-Māori and half-Welsh, Cornelius spent part of his childhood in Swansea through his father’s Welsh roots.
Much of his rugby development came in Australia, where he was involved with the Queensland Reds and played for Bond University. He represented Wales U20 after returning to Wales and joining the Ospreys academy.
“RGC had a fantastic season last year and the ambition, culture and style of rugby being played here really stood out to me,” said Cornelius.
“They play an exciting brand of rugby that suits my game. I can’t wait to get started, contribute to the club’s continued progress and be part of what promises to be another exciting season for both the club and the local community.”
Also joining head coach Jon Callard’s squad is 22-year-old back row man Huw Davies. He returns to Parc Eirias after pursuing a professional career at Sale Sharks.
“I enjoyed representing the RGC U15 and U16 teams for three years before having to move across the border to pursue a full-time professional career with the Sharks,” said Davies.
“I’m really looking forward to returning home to North Wales next season and getting more time on the field with RGC. After following RGC and the SRC matches last season, September could not come soon enough for me, especially as I admire the exciting style of rugby RGC played.
“It’ll be great to link up again with some of the boys from clubs across the north who I played alongside around six or seven years ago.”
Baldwin confirms ins and outs at Bridgend Ravens
Scott Baldwin has retained 26 of last season’s squad to lead the Bridgend Ravens into the third season of Super Rygbi Cymru.
This will be added to by new signings and an allocation of Ospreys players. The club will also continue to utilise the Bridgend Rugby Pathway to give opportunities of senior rugby to the borough’s best and brightest talents, with players such as Cai Harries, Cody Ray David and Iwan Powell all making appearances last season.
Bridgend Ravens Retained Squad List 2026/2027
Forwards: Alex George. Alfie Llewellyn, Alfie Thomas, Barnaby Waddell, Cai Davies, Corey Lewis, Harry Olding, Jared Williams, Kyle Harris, Nathan Evans, Thomas Jevons, Zac O’Driscoll
Backs: Ben Burnell, Cameron Ellis, Chris Williams, Edd Howley, Fraser Jones, Gabe Lacey, Harvey Nash, Jake Thomas, Joseph Gatt, Lloyd Wilkins, McCauley Rowley, Rhydian Greenhall, Ryan Wilkins
Among those leaving will be outside half Luke Price, who scored 403 points in 60 games, Corum Nott, Evan Hill, Gethin O’Callaghan, Tyler Olding, Tommy Morgan, who is returning to Pontypridd, and Dan Roderick.
Wizards recruit Garyn Smith as attack coach for 150th season
Aberavon, who will be joining Cardiff RFC in celebrating their 150th anniversary next season, have recruited form Cardiff Rugby and Pontypridd centre Garyn Smith as their attack and backs coach for the 2026-27 campaign.
The Wizards’ coaching team will be led by Chris Davies, who has also recruited Luke Charles as the club’s performance analyst.
“Garyn was someone who stood out throughout the recruitment process. He has a genuine passion for coaching, a strong understanding of the game and, importantly, a real desire to help players improve and develop,” said Davies.
“It was important we brought in people who align with our vision for how we want Aberavon to play and operate. Garyn’s values, energy and coaching philosophy fit that perfectly.
🔴⚫ SIGNING NEWS ⚫🔴
A massive signing for the club. We’re thrilled to welcome Garyn Smith as Player / Attack Coach!
He made 111 first-team appearances over a seven-year spell with Cardiff, gaining European experience along the way, before going on to make over 100… pic.twitter.com/vf6kZhLZu7
— Aberavon Rugby Club (@AberavonRugby) June 14, 2026
“We want to create an environment that challenges players, encourages growth and allows them to express themselves on the field. Garyn will play a key role in helping us achieve that.
“This season is an incredibly important one for the club as we celebrate our 150th anniversary. We have spoken a lot about earning the right to represent the badge and building something that our supporters can be proud of, and Garyn shares that ambition.”
Also heading to the Talbot Athletic Ground for the new season is Morgan Williams, who is joining from Newport.
SRC Cup pools and dates confirmed
SRC Cup holders Newport are drawn in Pool A with Cardiff, Carmarthen Quins and Swansea, while Pool B will be contested by Aberavon, Bridgend, Ebbw Vale, Llandovery and P0ntypool
The dates for the Super Rygbi Cymru Cup competition have also been announced. The competition will begin on Saturday 23 January, with five pool fixtures scheduled across January and February as teams compete for a place in the knockout stages.
Following the pool phase, the competition will move into the Semi-Finals on Saturday 6 March before culminating with Finals Day on Saturday 20 March. Last season Newport beat Llandovery Newport 28-25 to win the SRC Cup, while Swansea beat RGC 29-13 to pick up the SRC Plate.
2027 Super Rygbi Cymru Cup Dates
Round 1: Saturday 23 January
Round 2: Saturday 30 January
Round 3: Saturday 6 February
Round 4: Saturday 13 February
Round 5: Saturday 20 February
Semi-Finals: Saturday 6 March
Final: Saturday 20 March
SRC champions look to the future by resurrecting Youth XV
After a gap of seven years, Llandovery RFC have decided to resurrect their Youth XV next season to help build on the success of their U16 side.
The 2025-26 U16 side were regional champions at their age group and the return of a Youth XV that in the past produced a British & Irish Lion in Barry Williams as well as Wales second row stalwart Luke Charteris, is being viewed as a real investment in the club’s future.
“It is great news for Llandovery. We’re conscious that providing competitive rugby for teenagers is an important part of our remit as a club and community,” said Drovers president Handel Davies.
“We greatly look forward to the re-appearance of Youth side after all the groundwork done by our Junior Drovers coaches.”
Led by No 8 Will Jones the Llandovery U16 side won both the Carmarthenshire U16 and the Scarlets U16 Cup.
Former flanker Huw Protheroe, alongside other ex-Drovers in Gary Williams and Glyn Davies plus Builth’s Rob Lloyd – all with sons in the squad – have dedicated the last 10 years to bringing along a group of talented players. Their U16 squad will now form the basis of a side that will join the WRU Youth League.
By re-establishing the youth side, the club hope to be able to re-form their 2nd XV in the not-too-distant future.
An opening training session for any local teenagers keen to join the current squad will take place at Llandovery’s Church Bank home on Thursday 25 June at 7.00 pm.
Newport hitting the road in pre-season
SRC Cup holders Newport will be travelling away from home for their three pre-season warm-up matches.
Like Bridgend, they will head to Bridge Field to meet Championship East and Championship Cup winners Bedwas before heading to Guernsey for their second run out against the National League 2 East outfit, who play in the same division as London Welsh.
Ty Morris’ men end with a trip to Beddau to face last season’s Premiership runners-up.
Newport’s Pre-Season Friendlies
v Bedwas – Saturday 8 August (2.30pm)
v Guernsey – Saturday 15 August (7.30pm)
v Beddau – Saturday 22 August (2.30pm)
Steelmen snap-up big ball carrying No 8
Ebbw Vale have strengthened their back row options for the new season by recruiting Wales U18 cap Ioan Dacey.
A member of the Cardiff Rugby U18 squad and senior academy last season, the Coleg y Cymoedd product will be hoping to make the step up into senior rugby with the runners-up in the SRC Trophy over the past two seasons.
He will be able to learn by playing alongside Canadian international Sion Parry, who has been named as captain for the new campaign in place of hooker Joe Franchi.
Among those retained for the new campaign are Ethan Phillips, Dom Franchi, Cameron Davies, Iwan Holder, Dylan Bartlett, Curtis Gregory, Alfred Bateman Lloyd and Harry Arundel. Also remaining are props quartet Luke Garrett, Morgan Bosanko, Adam Williams and Morgan Williams.
Jason Strange will put his team to the test in three away pre-season friendlies at Cross Keys on Saturday 15 August (2.30pm), Dings Crusaders on Saturday 22 August (2.30pm) and Brynmawr on Thursday 27 August (7.15pm).
Tom Phillips takes over head coach role at Carmarthen Quins
Former Wales U20 Grand Slammer Tom Phillips has been named as head coach at Carmarthen Quins for the new season.
He steps up into the lead role following the retirement of Lyndon Lewis. The Quins have also recruited Ian Gardner to act as head of rugby performance and brought in Stef Sankala to lead on strength and conditioning.