22 Sep Team to face RGC at the Brewery

Bridgend Ravens take a break from Indigo Premiership league action when they enter the first round of the Premiership Cup on Saturday, welcoming RGC to the Dunraven Brewery Field (2:30pm).

The Ravens have enjoyed an encouraging start to the league campaign, picking up two victories and a losing bonus point in their other match of their first three. They currently sit in fifth position in the early Indigo Premiership standings and face Merthyr at the Dunraven Brewery Field next Saturday in their next outing. Attention now turns to the cup this weekend though, with North Walians RGC headed to Bridgend territory.

RGC are yet to taste victory this season, starting the season with back to back defeats against Cardiff and Newport. They have a youthful looking squad this season, including former Bridgend outside half Harri Ford, who made his debut against Newport last weekend.

The Ravens have won three of their previous four home encounters against the Gogs; 43-39 in 2019, 20-8 in 2021 and 40pts to 25 last season.

Tom Smith makes a number of changes to his starting lineup this weekend as his side look to book their place in the second round of the Premiership Cup with victory. Full Back Edd Howley and wing Caine Woolerton are both named in the squad and are set to make their 50th appearances for the club. In the absence of regular captain Zac O’Driscoll, Edd Howley captains the side.

Bridgend XV: 15. Edd Howley (capt) 14. Hanno Dirksen 13. Joseph Gatt 12. Tommy Morgan 11. Cameron Ellis 10. Luke Price 9. Chris Williams

1. Harry Olding 2. Connah Vaughan 3. Liam Tobias 4. Ben Thomas 5. Jack Pope 6. Dafi Davies 7. Alfie Llewellyn 8. Jordan Collier

Replacements: 16. Alex George 17. Phil Price 18, Curtis Hicks 19. Dylan Burrows 20. Aled Evans 21. Jakob Williams 22. Rhys Williams 23. Caine Woolerton