Jones dares Gogs to dazzle on big occasion

RGC 1404 head coach Mark Jones reckons it will be a case of who dares wins when his side take on Pontypridd.

The 47-cap former wing returns to the home of Welsh rugby at the helm of northern powerhouse RGC.

Jones will be looking to utilise his big-game experience, and believes whichever team is the more clinical on the day will take home the crown.

He said: “It will be an exciting game and whoever executes the better will come out on top.

“In a final you always have to have the confidence not to freeze on the big occasion.

“It might take until the players get to the top of the tunnel and see the dragon before they realise where they’re playing.”

RGC boast veteran Scarlets prop Phil John in their side and Jacob Botica – son of Llanelli legend and former All Black Frano – at outside-half.

RGC beat Pontypridd 4717 when the two teams last met on January 7 in the Principality Premiership.

But Sardis Road lock Chris Dicomidis is keen to put that setback behind them and make amends with a seventh National Cup title.

Pontypridd have lost captain and centre Dafydd Lockyer to injury, leaving Dicomidis to skipper the side.

“RGC are a quality side and we’ve had a tough loss to them this season already,” he said.

“At Pontypridd we take a lot of pride in the fact we do well in knock-out rugby.

“We’ve had a fair bit of success in cup finals at Principality Stadium in the last ten years.

“But the last time we were here we lost to Bridgend which was a bit of a shock. We’re determined to not let that happen again.”

The Valley Commandos had to dig deep in their semi-final clash, eventually coming out on top 42-37 at the Talbot Athletic Ground.