09 Sep Team to face Carmarthen Quins

Bridgend Ravens welcome Carmarthen Quins to the Dunraven Brewery Field for their first home game of the Indigo Premiership season (2:30pm).

Both sides’ tasted defeat last weekend in their league opener. The Ravens went down 45pts to 14 at Talbot Athletic Ground against Aberavon, and Quins lost 19pts to 3 at home to Llandovery. This Saturday represents an opportunity for both teams to kickstart their league season.

Quins beat the Ravens three times last season; twice at the Park by 27pts to 12, 22pts to 17 and 15pts to 38 at the Dunraven Brewery Field in the opening game of last season. Bridgend are looking for their first home success against Carmarthen since 2019 when an Owen Howe inspired performance saw them win 19pts to 17.

Head Coach Tom Smith makes four changes to the starting lineup from last weekend. There’s just one change in the back line, where Chris Williams comes in for Dylan Davies at 9. Amongst the forwards, Evan Yardley makes his first competitive start for Bridgend at hooker and Hemi Barnes takes his place in the second row alongside Jack Pope. Captain Zac O’Driscoll is back in the squad and starts in a back row alongside last weekend’s Man of the Match, Iestyn Merriman and Jordan Collier.

Bridgend Ravens XV: 15. Edd Howley 14. Caine Woolerton 13. Joseph Gatt 12. Iwan Griffith 11. Tyler Williams 10. Luke Price 9. Chris Williams

1. Rhodri Apsee 2. Evan Yardley 3. Liam Tobias 4. Hemi Barnes 5. Jack Pope 6. Iestyn Merriman 7. Zac O’Driscoll (capt) 8. Jordan Collier

Replacements: 16. Gareth Harvey 17. Harry Olding 18. Ellis Fackrell 19. Bowen Davies 20. Aled Evans 21. Dylan Davies 22. Paul Short 23. Jamie Murphy