Jump to main content

Fowler looks ahead to new season

Fowler looks ahead to new season

Cardiff RFC are looking forward to returning to Principality Premiership action next season according to head coach Martyn Fowler.

Share this page:

The Blue and Blacks, alongside their partner region the Cardiff Blues, will play their home games on the new artificial pitch at Cardiff Arms Park, providing a new playing environment for the next campaign. 

Like many of the other 11 Premiership clubs, Cardiff have started their preseason strength and conditioning training as Fowler looks to build his squad’s fitness ahead of the new season.

This has including Premiership testing sessions at the WRU’S Centre of Excellence in the Vale of Glamorgan.  

“We’ve had a six-week period of training which resumed on June 11, based predominantly on establishing a strong fitness and power base,” said Fowler.

“Throughout June we have worked to a 80 per cent conditioning to a 20 per cent rugby ratio, resulting in hopefully a strong benchmark for the squad set in the WRU Premiership testing at the WRU Centre of Excellence.”

After an inconsistent 2012/13 season, Cardiff finished in eight place, something Fowler is desperate to improve upon. With that in mind, the Cardiff coach has strengthened his side with a number of new signings.

Back row forward Jonathon Edwards has joined from the Scarlets while winger Saipolu Tapaatoutai Uhi gets a chance at Premiership level after impressing for Ebbw Vale in the Championship last season.

Tighthead Ryan Harford, Nick White, Sam Feehan, Tom Slater and centre Luke Ford have also all joined the club while Jamie Ringer will combine a coaching role with the occasional playing experience this season.

“Our strength and conditioning coach Richard Hughes was tasked with ensuring the squad are one of the fittest in the Principality Premiership,” said Fowler.

“Richard has delivered sessions of the highest quality throughout June. He’s eagerly awaiting the testing scores, confident that the squad have set a strong benchmark to further develop from.”

With Cardiff boasting a good relationship with the Cardiff Blues Academy, the Arms Park club have also secured the availability of centre Tom Pascoe and hooker Ethan Lewis, both having recently experienced a successful Junior World Championship campaign with Wales Under 20.

Callum Lewis, Aaron Elliott, Will Baird, Jack Maynard, Jack Phillips, Ollie Smythe, and James Sheeky will also be available to Fowler throughout the season.

“All of the coaching group and committee believe we have a well-balanced squad that will give us the continuity in selection and the style of game we want to play moving forward,” he said.

Current Squad: Will Baird, Kriss Barry, Brett Chatwin, Jonathon Edwards, Aaron Elliot, Lloyd Elliot , Sam Feehan, Luke Ford, Aaron Fowler, Joe Griffin, Ryan Harford, Jack Huntley, Rhys James, Alwyn Lee, George Lee, Ethan Lewis, Callum Lewis, Garyn Lucas, Jack Maynard, James Murphy, Miles Nomandale, Sam Parker , Daniel Partridge, Jack Philips, Shaun Powell, Jamie Ringer, Darren Ryan, James Sheeky, Dafi Sion Davies, Tom Slater, Ollie Smyth, Lewis Smout, Cieron Thomas, Will Thomas, Saipolu Tapaatoutai Uhi, Danny Wardle, Nick White, Thomas Pascoe, Gareth Walters, Owen Sedgebeer, Mike Stephens, Thomas Silva. 

Partners and Suppliers

Principal Partners
Principality
Official Broadcast Partners
BBC Cymru/Wales
S4C
Official Partners
Heineken
Isuzu
Guinness