29 Sep Team to face Merthyr at the Brewery
Bridgend Ravens host Merthyr on Thursday evening at the Dunraven Brewery Field in the third round of Indigo Premiership fixtures (7:30pm).
The match will be Bridgend’s first home game of the competitive season and they’ll be looking for a vast improvement on Saturday’s heavy defeat to Pontypridd at Sardis Road by 40pts to 8.
The sides have already met once this season, in a pre-season match which the Ravens won by 26pts to 24 courtesy of a last play Stuart Floyd Ellis try and Paul Short conversion.
With a short turnaround since Saturday’s game at Sardis Road, Tom Smith rotates his squad for the visit of the Ironmen. Tyler Williams comes in at 15 for Edd Howley who misses out with a knock. Caine Woolerton and Mike Powell keep their place on the wing, with Joseph Gatt and Rhys Williams, making his first start for Bridgend, the choice in midfield. Chris Williams takes the 9 jersey, pairing with Luke Price at half back.
Owen Jordan, Evan Yardley and Akeem Eubank Anderson comprise the front row. Bowen Davies and Mark Davey are the changes in the second row, with the side captained by Jordan Collier from No8; his back row partners are Hemi Barnes and Iestyn Merriman.
Bridgend Ravens XV: 15. Tyler Williams 14. Caine Woolerton 13. Joseph Gatt 12. Rhys Williams 11. Mike Powell 10. Luke Price 9. Chris Williams
1. Owen Jordan 2. Evan Yardley 3. Akeem Eubank Anderson 4. Mark Davey 5. Bowen Davies 6. Hemi Barnes 7. Iestyn Merriman 8. Jordan Collier (capt)
Replacements: 16. Gareth Harvey 17. Harry Olding 18. Liam Tobias 19. Jack Pope 20. Dafi Davies 21. Zac O’Driscoll 22. Paul Short 23. Iwan Griffith