Pitch worry prompts a switch away from Ponty
THE Welsh Rugby Union has moved the first day of their Under-18 International Series tournament from Pontypridd to Taffs Well and the Arms Park as an investigation into the 3G pitch at Sardis Road continues.
Pontypridd was due to be the venue to kick off the series tomorrow, with three games involving England, Canada, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales but they have now been moved down the A470 after the furore surrounding Merthyr’s National Cup semi-final defeat to RGC 1404 at Sardis Road last month.
In the wake of their defeat to the North Walians, seven Merthyr players had pictures posted on social media of friction burns from the 3G surface at Ponty, prompting the WRU to open an investigation into the pitch.
After an initial inspection, the Union said: “Representatives from the WRU attended an inspection of the Sardis Road pitch, along with pitch contractors, members of the local council (Rhondda Cynon Taf) and Pontypridd rugby club officials.
“Further testing will be conducted over the coming days with a second inspection to be undertaken next week, at which time further details should be available concerning the issue and any relevant resolution.
“We will not speculate on the results of these tests and further inspection at this stage, but we know that 3G pitches are an established, proven and successful playing surface widely utilised by rugby union and are therefore hopeful that a solution can be found to the well publicised recent issue at the venue.
“Player welfare is paramount to the WRU and a minimum standard is required for all playing surfaces in all of its competitions.”
And with that investigation ongoing, the WRU have released a further statement outlining the venue change.
The statement reads: “It has been agreed with Pontypridd RFC that it would be played elsewhere in order to ensure testing on the surface is as thorough as possible.”
England and Canada are due to kick things off tomorrow at 2.30pm at Taffs Well, while the IrelandItaly and Wales-Scotland games will be hosted at the Arms Park, kicking off at 6pm and 8.05pm respectively.