09 Mar Team to face Cardiff at the Arms Park

Bridgend Ravens face a tough assignment with a trip to Cardiff Arms Park to face Cardiff RFC on Thursday evening (7:30pm).

The Ravens come into the game in fabulous form with four straight home wins under their belts, with the latest being a comprehensive 40pts to 25 win over RGC last weekend.

Reigning Indigo Premiership champions Cardiff are again leading the race for silverware at the top of the league standings. They have won 13 of their games so far, losing on just three occasions to Aberavon, Newport and to Llandovery last time out by 37pts to 20 at Church Bank.

Earlier this season, the Blue and Blacks ran riot at the Brewery to come away with a 43pts to 16  bonus point win, with former Raven Dewi Cross bagging himself a hattrick. Bridgend have much improved since that afternoon, and will be looking to continue their upward trajectory this season by putting in a performance at the Arms Park.

Despite the short turnaround, Smith makes seven changes to his starting fifteen. Last weekend’s Man of the Match, Iwan Griffith, shakes off his knock to take his place in the back three with Mike Powell and Edd Howley. Joseph Gatt comes into the side at 12 with Connor Tantum given a start at 9 in the other backline change.

Amongst the forwards, it’s a fresh front row of Harry Olding, Evan Yardley and Liam Tobias. Kieran Martin takes a spot in the second row to make his 50th club appearance, with Aled Evans replacing Iestyn Merriman in the back row.

On the replacements bench, there’s a potential of a Bridgend Ravens debut for scrum half Jakob Williams of Maesteg Harlequins.

Bridgend Ravens XV: 15. Edd Howley 14. Iwan Griffith 13. Stuart Floyd Ellis 12. Joseph Gatt 11. Mike Powell 10. Luke Price 9. Connor Tantum

1. Harry Olding 2. Evan Yardley 3. Liam Tobias 4. Ben Thomas 5. Kieran Martin 6. Aled Evans 7. Zac O’Driscoll (capt) 8. Reuben Tucker

Replacements: 16. Gareth Harvey 17. Owen Jordan 18. Akeem Eubank Anderson 19. Jack Pope 20. Jordan Collier 21. Jakob Williams 22. Rhys Williams 23. Nathan Edwards

Cardiff RFC XV: 15. Jacob Lloyd 14. Joe Goodchild 13. Will Keep 12. Aaron Pinches 11. Dan Fish 10. Harrison James 9. Joe Williams

1. Rhys Barratt 2. Alan Rees 3. Freddie Barnes 4. Sean Moore 5. James Richards 6. Alex Mann 7. Nathan Hudd 8. Morgan Allen (capt)

Replacements: 16. Marc Thomas 17. Scott Andrews 18. Ollie Drake 19. Ellis Thomas 20. Evan Lloyd 21. Ethan Lloyd 22. Ryan Wilkins 23. Tom Bowen