14 Dec Team to face Newport at the Brewery

Bridgend Ravens are back at home for an Indigo Premiership match against Newport at the Dunraven Brewery Field on Thursday evening (7:30pm).

The Ravens are in reasonably good form having won their previous three league games on the bounce. They’ve defeated Neath (26pts to 19), RGC (14pts to 10) and Pontypool (27pts to 23) to move up to 7th place in the current Indigo Premiership standings. The Ravens did slip up last weekend however at St Helen’s as they lost the Premiership Cup Quarter Final 27pts to 16 against Swansea. With full focus now on the league, Bridgend know that Newport will pose another tough challenge as both sides prepare for a hectic Festive period.

Newport have started the current campaign well, winning seven of their opening ten league matches to occupy the fourth and final play off place. They have ten league points more than Bridgend, but lost their last league match at Church Bank against Llandovery by 29pts to 7.

The corresponding fixture last season went Bridgend’s way by 27pts to 24 courtesy of tries from Edd Howley, Mike Powell and Chris Williams with the rest of the points coming from the boot of Paul Short.

For Thursday’s game, Tom Smith makes a few changes to his lineup. Jakob Williams, a try scorer from the bench on Saturday at St Helen’s comes into the back three alongside Mike Powell and Cameron Ellis. with regular outside halves Luke Price and Paul Short unavailable, Rhys Williams is selected at outside half alongside Chris Williams.

Amongst the forwards, there are returns for Evan Yardley and Matholwch Iorwerth Scott to starting berths. Bradley Davies comes into the side to pair up with Ben Thomas in the second row. Alfie Llewellyn is another change to the back row, replacing Dafi Davies.

There’s a welcome return from injury for Reuben Tucker amongst Bridgend’s replacements as the coaches opt for a 6/2 split.

Bridgend Ravens XV: 15. Mike Powell 14. Jakob Williams 13. Stuart Floyd Ellis 12. Tommy Morgan 11. Cameron Ellis 10. Rhys Williams 9. Chris Williams

1. Harry Olding 2. Evan Yardley 3. Matholwch Iorwerth Scott 4. Ben Thomas 5. Bradley Davies 6. Alfie Llewellyn 7. Zac O’Driscoll (capt) 8. Jordan Collier

Replacements: 16. Connah Vaughan 17. Owen Jordan 18. Curtis Hicks 19. Jack Pope 20. Hemi Barnes 21. Reuben Tucker 22. Connor Tantum 23. Joseph Gatt