01 Sep Team to face Swansea at St Helen’s

Posted at 08:53h in 2023/24 Website News by

Bridgend Ravens start their Indigo Premiership campaign with a trip to St Helen’s to face Swansea on Saturday afternoon (2:30pm).

Bridgend went 2 from 2 in pre-season with victories over Llandovery (26pts to 19) and Bournville (34pts to 31) in their two Brewery Field friendlies.

Swansea enjoyed 3 pre-season matches; a defeat to Bedford by 45pts to 35, and victories over Morriston by 57pts to 17 and Neath by 40pts to 22. They have recruited well over the summer, bringing in the experienced quartet of Rhys Jones, Lloyd Evans, Joe Thomas (all from Aberavon) and Lloyd Ashley (from Merthyr), along with a host of former Osprey players such as Matthew Aubrey, Osian Knott and Lewis Lloyd.

The sides met twice last season, both fixtures in the final weeks of the campaign. At St Helen’s, Swansea emerged victorious 32pts to 31 in an open encounter which saw Bridgend pick up two bonus points in defeat. Gareth Harvey (2), Iestyn Merriman and Mike Powell (2) all crossed for the Ravens that afternoon. A week later, Bridgend avenged that defeat with a comfortable 24pts to 15 win at the Dunraven Brewery Field; Edd Howley, Stuart Floyd Ellis and Reuben Tucker the scorers that day.

For the league opener, Smith has selected a pacey back three of Edd Howley, Mike Powell and Caine Woolerton. Stuart Floyd Ellis and Rhys Williams get the nod in midfield, and the experienced duo of Luke Price and Chris Williams are the half backs.

Phil Price makes his second competitive debut for the club in a front row alongside Gareth Harvey and Matholwch Iorwerth Scott. Ben Thomas and Jack Pope pair up again in the second row; with the back row comprising Zac O’Driscoll, Reuben Tucker and Alfie Llewellyn who makes his Indigo Premiership debut.

New signings Connah Vaughan, Dylan Burrows and Tom Morgan are selected amongst Bridgend’s replacements.

Bridgend Ravens XV: 15. Edd Howley 14. Caine Woolerton 13. Stuart Floyd Ellis 12. Rhys Williams 11. Mike Powell 10. Luke Price 9. Chris Williams

1. Phil Price 2. Gareth Harvey 3. Matholwch Iorwerth-Scott 4. Ben Thomas 5. Jack Pope 6. Alfie Llewellyn 7. Zac O’Driscoll (capt) 8. Reuben Tucker

Replacements: 16. Connah Vaughan 17. Harry Olding 18. Liam Tobias 19. Dylan Burrows 20. Jordan Collier 21. Connor Tantum 22. Joseph Gatt 23. Tom Morgan