Coach Law admits Ironmen could be an unknown quantity
THE last time Cardiff played at the Arms Park it was against Merthyr and they clinched the Indio Premiership title with a 31-12 win.
That was the end of last season and today they kick-off their home campaign for the 2022-23 season with a another showdown with the Ironmen.
Ironically, they were due to meet last weekend, when all games were cancelled due to the death of The Queen, but find themselves in cup action this morning (11.45am kick-off ) as the new WRU Premiership Cup launches.
Both teams come into the game with a single Premiership match under their belts. Merthyr, coached this season by Rowland Phillips, beat RGC 22-15, while Cardiff triumphed 26-12 against Pontypridd at Sardis Road.
“It’s difficult to assess how different Merthyr might be this season after only one game, but they certainly recruited well in the summer,” said Cardiff head coach Steve Law.
“Josh Lewis is going to be as good, if not better, than any outside half in the league after joining from the Dragons and if Tavis Knoyle turns up at his best to partner him then they will be a handful. They are always strong up front so we are expecting a really tough challenge.
“But we’ve got a strong side out, we want to do well in all competitions and it has all the making s of a great game.”
As with last season’s new style cup tournament, everything kicksoff with group stages before entering into a knock-out. Newport won a new trophy last season, but the old WRU Challenge Cup is due to be reinstated for this season.
Elsewhere, Llanelli will be hoping to pull off a repeat of their impressive 46-26 home league win over Swansea on the opening weekend of the season when they head to St Helen’s (1.30pm kickoff) in Group C. Ebbw Vale host Carmarthen Quins and Pontypridd entertain Bridgend.
There is a full Admiral Championship programme, but every other team from Division 1-6 will be in cup action at their own level. The community game tournaments have been introduced to add variety to the season.
The prize at the end of the season will be a trip to the home of Welsh rugby in Cardiff for a showpiece final in the Road to Principality – which proved a massive success earlier this year.
“We wanted to find a way to keep as many clubs as possible involved in meaningful competitions across the season and the increase in cup competitions was one way of doing that,” said Geraint John, WRU Community Director.
“The players told us during the adult male competitions and pathway review in 2020-21 that their motivation to play was driven by competition that provided meaningful competition, variety and jeopardy. The competition will give clubs multiple opportunities in the new and exciting format.
“The teams all play at their respective levels and this weekend sees everything kick-off with the first round of group games. What we found last season was there was huge enthusiasm among the clubs to earn the right to potentially play at Principality Stadium and our aim is to provide that opportunity to as many teams as possible.”