Having completed the double over the Gogs last season, and pushed them all the way in Colwyn Bay earlier in this campaign, the Wizards head coach knows his team will be really competitive against the club he describes as “the standard bearers” of Premiership rugby.
But while the result will be important, the really pleasing factor for Hyatt, his coaching team, the players and supporters of Aberavon will be seeing Adam Beard making his first start for Wales at the Principality Stadium against Georgia at the weekend.
“Adam played for us against RGC last season and is the latest player to graduate from the Premiership into the senior Wales international side. We are delighted for him at Aberavon and believe his rise through the ranks backs up the claim from the WRU that the Premiership is the jewel in their rugby crown,” said Hyatt.
“We may have only played a small part in Adam’s development, but playing in the Premiership was certainly a step on his pathway to the international arena. We did the same with Ashley Beck and Justin Tipuric in the past and we are always looking for the next one.
“When you look through the Wales team that is facing Georgia there are a number of players who have benefitted from playing in the Premiership. It has helped them to learn, mature and get ready for the next step.
“It’s interesting to note that this month a year ago Seb Davies was playing for Cardiff against a Cross Keys side containing Leon Brown. And Owen Watkin started this season playing in the centre at Bridgend.”
As far as this season’s Premiership campaign is concerned, Hyatt has used the first half of the season to assess some youngsters and prepare for the all-important second part of the league when all the teams come together. Mark Jones’ RGC side might be leading the way at the moment, but so much could change in the New Year.
“Given the backing and facilities they’ve got in north Wales, and the fact they are training almost full-time, I’d expect them to be setting the standard. What they are doing up there is the blueprint for how all Premiership clubs should be run,” added Hyatt.
“They’ve been very consistent in their results and their coaching and playing groups didn’t really change much over the summer. They are in a good place and are a really well-run outfit.”
RGC haven’t been beaten since they went down to a 31-10 defeat at Llandovery on the opening weekend of the season. They beat the Wizards 32-24 at Parc Eirias and were 31-19 winners over Neath at home last weekend.
They lead the West Division by two points from the Drovers, with Carmarthen Quins four points further back in third. Llandovery head to bottom of the table Neath tonight, while the Quins face a tough trip to Swansea. Llanelli host Bridgend on Saturday.
Principality Premiership West Division – Round 11
Friday, 17 November 2017
Aberavon v RGC 1404
Neath v Llandovery
Swansea v Carmarthen Quins
Saturday, 18 November 2017
Llanelli v Bridgend
