Two-year wait, but Cardiff on title trail

CARDIFF head coach Steve Law admits it was “heartbreaking” to lose out on the chance of winning the Indigo Group Premiership title two years ago when Covid caused the season to be cancelled with the Blue & Blacks well on top.

This season, the title seemed destined for Newport until they lost back-to-back games to leave the door open for their longeststanding rivals to step in. Those home losses to RGC and Merthyr left Cardiff with the target of winning their final three games with bonus points to guarantee them the title.

Newport only have one game to go in the league, at Carmarthen Quins, but are also involved in the Indigo Group Premiership Cup final on Sunday, April 24, against Aberavon at Principality Stadium. Now their hopes of clinching a league and cup double have been taken out of their hands.

Law’s side got the first of their required bonus-point treble at Swansea last weekend, winning 27-20 at St Helen’s, and now host Pontypridd at the Arms Park tonight (7.30pm) to try to gain a second full house. That will just leave a home game against Merthyr to determine whether or not they can win the title for the first time since 2009.

“It was heartbreaking when Covid hit two seasons ago and we were on top of the table. It had been such a long time since Cardiff had been in that position and we felt we had the momentum to get us over the line,” said Law.

“Now we have the chance to pick up where we left off and it would be really sweet to nip in a steal the title from Newport after they beat us four times this season for the first time in their history. We know what we’ve got to do, but we’re not expecting any favours from either Ponty or Merthyr.”

Ponty head coach Justin Burnell is hoping his side can spoil the party and stop Cardiff from completing the treble over them this season.

“Newport have played some fantastic rugby this season. They have kept together a strong core group of players and deserve a huge amount of credit,” said Burnell.

“But in my eyes the league is now Cardiff’s to lose. We’ll head to the Arms Park to do our best to try to spoil their party, but they now must be the favourites to take the title.”

There will be another big derby match at St Helen’s, where Swansea host Llanelli, on the same night.

The visitors will be hoping to pick up a win that will give them the chance to finish ahead of their biggest rivals, who will be completing their campaign.

On Good Friday, bottom side Bridgend host Aberavon, while fourth-placed Carmarthen Quins can leapfrog RGC if they can overcome Llandovery. Both those games are 2.30pm kick-offs.