Last month Pembroke RFC unveiled a specially carved bench to commemorate Taylor, a club stalwart who died at Christmas, but taking the National Youth Plate back to the club with a victory over Tondu would be the biggest tribute the players could pay to their former coach.
Victory over Risca secured Pembroke’s ticket to the Welsh capital, when they will be one of three games played at the home of Welsh rugby. They completed all their league fixtures under the new format, winning five of their 11 Principality Youth League games but Saturday will be the biggest game in their history.
Former Wales and Scarlets lock Dominic Day, currently playing at Saracens, and Luke Hamilton, the Leicester Tigers back row man who played for Scotland earlier this season, are both Pembroke-born internationals, while Rob Appleyard, Jonathan Thomas and Mike Knill also played for Wales having launched their careers at the club.
With more than 200 players registered from Under 7-16 level there is a good production line of talent for the Youth team and the club also now has a competitive 2nd XV. The 1st XV are on course to win the Division 3A West title and the club has also submitted an application to launch a women’s side next season.
Pembroke Youth beat Haverfordwest, Nelson and Cwmtwrch to reach the final. Their opponents, Tondu, play in the Ospreys OB Division and overcame Bridgend Athletic II, Dunvant, Carmarthen Quins and Dolgellau to earn their ticket to the Principality Stadium.
The top game of the day, the National Youth Cup Final, will see Rumney skipper Lewis Hill looking to make it back-to-back titles having played in the team that beat Pontarddulais 18-12 in last year’s thrilling final. The back row man has been outstanding in a side currently vying with Pontypridd for the Blues BA Division title.
Treorchy are no strangers to the Principality Stadium, either, having won the Bowl Final last year. On that occasion they beat Bridgend Athletic second string 31-19 and are hoping to stay on course for a league and cup double.
They currently head the Blues BBi Division and have a number of players in their squad who helped Coleg y Cymoeed to win the Welsh Schools & Colleges Under 18 cup earlier in the season.
The Bowl Final sees St Julian’s HSOB, currently second in the Dragons DB league, face Ystrad Rhondda. In only their second season back at Youth team level, St Julian’s beat Tonyrefail, Blackwood, Colwyn Bay and Cardiff Quins to reach the final.
Ystrad Rhondda have already clinched the Cardiff Blues BC title and are going for a league and cup double. They beat Llantwit Fardre, Penclawdd, South Gower and Brynmawr to reach the final.
WRU Youth Finals Day
11am National Youth Bowl Final: St Julian’s HSOB v Ystrad Rhondda
1.15pm National Youth Plate Final: Pembroke v Tondu
3.30pm: National Youth Cup Final: Rumney v Treorchy
Tickets for the Youth Finals are £5 adults, free entry for under 16s but all spectators must collect or purchase a ticket from the WRU Store, Westgate Street
Following the Youth Finals, 20 Touch Rugby teams will take to the Principality Stadium pitch in a series of National Finals as the Road to Principality community rugby series continues. Entry to the National Touch Finals is free.
