The coaches have had their say on who they expect to feature prominently in this season’s Super Rygbi Cymru – now it’s the turn of the ‘experts’ who follow the teams week in week out during the entire season.
And to say there is some disagreement among the pundits is an understatement. Cardiff, Ebbw Vale, Pontypool and Newport have all been tipped to claim the silverware while a number of rising stars have been tipped to have big seasons along with a couple of seasoned campaigners
EXPERT PREDICTIONS
Ioan Dyer: Radio GTFM
Is it that time of year again to once again predict the impossible? I always get a bit nervous about trying to answer the question of who will win the Super Rygbi Cymru title.
Current champions Llandovery would have to be considered although being crowned back to back league champions would be a very tough ask. With a couple of key players leaving the club over the summer, winning the league again would be a tall order.
They also won the league the hard way last season having to travel away to beat Cardiff in the semi-final and won the final at Ebbw Vale.
Having mentioned Ebbw Vale, they must also be considered having made the final two seasons in a row. They made a blistering start to the campaign but lost momentum towards the back end of the season. Newport will also be contenders once again as they know how to win silverware, being the current holders of the SRC Shield and the SRC Cup.
However, I’m going to go for Cardiff to win this year’s title. They have finished the last two seasons top of the table which is a superb effort and shows that they are consistent. It is their 150th anniversary this year and I’m sure Dan Fish and the players will want to go that one step further to mark this historic occasion. The combination of exciting youth and experience such as Alun Rees and Sean Moore will put them in good stead for the season ahead.
Player to watch: Matty Young (Cardiff RFC)
At the recent Super Rygbi Cymru media event a few weeks ago, I asked Osian Darwin Lewis from Cardiff RFC who would be the player to watch, and he was quick to suggest Matty Young, a fellow Cardiff RFC player. Having seen him play a couple of times last season I agree with Osian that he`s an exciting player, who is very quick and dynamic, and can beat defenders. Osian mentioned that he was near the top of the list for beaten defenders. Also, Osian is a lot taller and bigger than I am, so I`m not going to argue with him!
Graeme Gillespie: WRU SRC reporter
The third instalment of Super Rygbi Cymru is set to be the best yet. Defending champions Llandovery will once again be there or there abouts, but with the likes of Newport and Cardiff breathing down their necks it’s up for grabs.
For sheer stubbornness and resilience I’m going for Ebbw Vale to lift the title. No-one likes going to darkest Gwent in the wintery months and Jason Strange’s side will be desperate to ensure they don’t fall at the final hurdle for a third time. With a mix of old heads and some exciting young talent from the Dragons, it would be a major surprise not to see the Steelmen near the top come the end of the campaign.
Player to watch: Connor Edwards (Pontypool)
Pontypool claimed a major coup when signing Ebbw Vale favourite Evan Lloyd, but I reckon the signing of the season could be centre Connor Edwards.
His no-nonsense approach will provide plenty of steel in the Pooler midfield while he is no slouch with ball in hand. The former Wales U20 centre arrives from the English Championship having played more than a century of games for Doncaster Knights between 2021-26 – not many achieve that feat in a demanding competition.
Chris Kirwan: BBC Wales
Newport celebrated their 150th anniversary season by lifting the SRC trophy and Cardiff will be determined to follow the lead of their fierce rivals in a special year.
The Blue and Blacks topped the table last season only to lose to Llandovery but have the mix of seasoned campaigners and young talent to mount another challenge.
Plenty of their players will hope to get chances at professional level but Corniel van Zyl is keen for them to rack up the minutes when not needed in the United Rugby Championship or Champions Cup.
Steffan Emanuel, Osian Darwin-Lewis, Rhys Cummings, Tom Howe and Lloyd Lucas could provide the needed X-factor in play-off rugby.
Player to watch: Evan Lloyd (Pontypool)
After going agonisingly close to silverware with Ebbw Vale, Evan Lloyd has opted for a fresh challenge with Gwent rivals Pontypool.
The 26-year-old former Dragons fly-half racked up the points with the Steelmen and got their formidable pack in the right areas.
Lloyd will now be tasked with helping Pooler climb the table after their poor 2025-26 and he will hope to not only thrive with the boot but make the most of the attacking talent outside him, notably rapid wing or full-back Ewan Rosser.
There is also the exciting prospect of Evan teaming up with younger brother Morgan, a lively scrum-half who will be keen to push for more Dragons action.
If Evan Lloyd goes well, so will Pooler.
Rob Cole: Westgate PR Agency
Pontypool had the best close season recruitment campaign and have picked up some great new recruits. Evan Lloyd, Connor Edwards and Caio Parry will boost the backline and there are a host of promising young Dragons, led by Evan Minto to call on up front. Head coach Tom Hancock changed the style last season and by the playoffs Pooler were highly competitive. If they can turn over reigning champions Llandovery on Day 1 then anything could be possible.
Player to watch: Dom Kossouth (Llandovery)
If he can stay fit he could make a major impact in the Drovers back row. He amply demonstrated his ball carrying ability for Wales U20 in the summer. Watch him grow . . . and go!
Iestyn Thomas: Freelance reporter
It could be a shootout between Newport and Llandovery for the title, with the Black & Ambers current holders of the shield and managed to beat the Drovers in the Cup before Euros Evans’ side went on to win the league.
If I had to pick one, I think Newport might have enough under the guidance of Ty Morris and the leadership of captain Ben Roach. With Cardiff, Ebbw Vale and Pontypool in the mix behind the top two.
Player to watch: Tiaan Hall (Pontypool)
While Evan Lloyd’s move to Pooler could be described as the signing of the season, there has been plenty of talk about young Dragons U18s hooker Tiaan Hall who has been involved with Tom Hancock’s side throughout pre-season and has caught the eye of the head coach.