You may well have got long odds on these two sides dominating proceedings at this stage of the season but with six wins from six games, the Quins certainly deserve to be at the head of the table.
The Blue and Blacks are not far behind in second place, making Saturday evening’s clash, refereed by Nigel Owens, a mouth-watering encounter.
“Richard Hodges and I went to watch Carmarthen against Bedwas last weekend and they are by far the best side I’ve seen in the Premiership to date,” said Fowler, who saw the Quins put 40 points on a side who only just missed out on last season’s play-offs.
“Technically they are very well coached and have so much talent from one to 23, it’s frightening.
“Add in their Wales Sevens players – the likes of James Davies – and we know we’re up against a top team.”
For the clash between first and second, which kicks-off after the meeting between Cardiff Blues and Treviso, Fowler makes a number of changes due to injury. Ellis Jenkins and skipper Jonathon Edwards are both out so Luke Hamilton moves to the openside. Youngster James Sheeky comes in at six with Sam Feehan at No. 8.
“A top of the table clash has probably come at the wrong time for us with regional call ups but we are looking forward to it,” said Fowler.
“I’m not surprised at where we are. Coaching is about learning and we took a lot from last year and I think we have done quite well in moving forward from that. We recruited some good players and have done a lot of things right so far this season. We all thought we’d be in the top five at this stage but we still have to play Cross Keys, Pontypridd and Llanelli home and away so it’s still very early doors.
“It’s about how we react to being towards the top of the table now.”
While Carmathen disposed of Bedwas last weekend, Cardiff were similarly impressive in a 43-18 defeat of Swansea. The Quins are the only side with a 100 per cent record so far this season, playing some entertaining rugby along the way.
Wales Sevens regulars Davies and Lee Williams will be the key men for them once again with wing Jason Harries looking to stake a claim for a recall to the IRB circuit.
“We are all excited about what will be a great occasion on Saturday,” said Carmarthen head coach Louie Tonkin.
“It’s a double header of fixtures and we’re fortunate to be a part of it. Both sides have an intent to play rugby and we’ll definitely come to attack.”
“The boys are in good spirits, we took an awful lot from that win at Bedwas,” added Quins team manager Steffan Thomas.
“Not many teams go to Bedwas and score 47 points. Now we go to Cardiff and it’s about keeping our focus.
“We’ve got a young group of players and they’re pretty grounded, there are no expectations.
“The only pressure is what we place on ourselves and there is a lot of healthy competition in the squad.”
Cardiff: 15 Joe Griffin 14 James Loxton 13 Michael Stephens 12 Luke Ford 11 Shaun Powell 10 Ceiron Thomas 9 Garyn Lucas, 1 Lewis Smout 2 Ethan Lewis 3 Ryan Harford (c) 4 Macauley Cook 5 James Murphy 6 James Sheekey7 Luke Hamilton 8 Samuel Feehan.
Replacements: Rhys James, Aaron Fowler, Aaron Elliott, Jamie Ringer, Nicholas White, Bryn Phillips, Jack Maynard, Brett Chatwin.
Carmarthen Quins: 15 Howard Thomas 14 Lee Williams 13 Jason Harries 12 John Williams 11 Christopher Banfield 10 Craig Evans 9 Rhodri Wells, 1 Gethin Robinson 2 Ryan Elias 3 Ian Jones (c) 4 Josh Helps 5 Haydn Pugh 6 James Davies 7 Elis Lloyd 8 Luke Joseph.
Replacements: Gareth Thomas, Rhodri Clancy, Javan Sebastian, Jonathan Gardiner, Carwyn Jones, Rory Gallagher, Connor Lloyd, Panashe Rushesha.
