A win over Llandovery at The Gnoll would make the day all the more memorable in what will be Cardiff’s first semi-final since 2010. The two teams have met twice already this season in the Principality Premiership, with the Drovers winning at home and forcing a draw at the Arms Park.
Wales U20 centre Max Llewellyn is included on the wing and Edd Howley should feel very much at home at Neath having played for so many season for the Welsh All Blacks. Gareth Thompson takes over at outside half from Dan Fish and Ben Thomas starts in the centre.
It has been a long wait for silverware at Cardiff Arms Park and the former WRU National Cup kings are certainly eyeing up some trophies for the famous clubhouse this season. Steve Law’s side trail Merthyr by a mere two points in the battle for the Principality Premiership title and are a win away today from reaching their first cup final since 2007.
The last title they won was the Premiership in 2009 and their form in the cup this season has marked them out as real candidates to potentially win it for an eighth time. The last time they lifted the Cup aloft was when they beat Swansea 33-26 in what was the last game at the old National Ground, Cardiff Arms Park, in 1997.
Their run to the semi-finals began with a try-fest at TATA Steel in round one. Cardiff may have conceded seven tries in what was a remarkable 73-43 final scoreline, but they helped themselves to 11 scores of their own as they flexed their muscles.
Outside-half Steffan Jones helped himself to 21 points with a try and eight conversions and centre Will Rees-Hole and wing Edd Howley both crossed twice.
After that impressive start things got even better on the road in round two when the Blue & Blacks headed north to Colwyn Bay to turn over the 2017 champions RGC 1404. Their 27-15 triumph earned them a home quarter-final clash with Law’s old club Bedwas and they were on a roll.
Cardiff outscored RGC by four tries to two as centres Max Llewellyn and Adam Jones joined wing Llywarch Ap Myrddin and hooker and skipper Joey Tomlinson on the score sheet. Outside-half Gareth Thompson chipped in with two conversions and a penalty.
Against Bedwas in the last eight there were more tries to savour as Cardiff ran out 43-12 victors.
There were six tries to savour as the home side bagged a first semi-final since 2010. The result was never in doubt after Cardiff raced into a 24-0 interval lead. There were two tries each for No 8 Morgan Allen and replacement hooker Ian Jenkins and Rhys Hole and Joe Gatt added to Bedwas’ pain along with the boot of Thompson who notched 13 points.
Route to the Semi-Finals
Round 1: TATA Steel 43-73 Cardiff
Round 2: RGC 1404 15-27 Cardiff
Q-F: Cardiff 43-12 Bedwas
Cardiff (v Llandovery): Edd Howley; Max Llewellyn, Ben Thomas, Will Rees-Hole, Joe Gatt; Gareth Thompson, Martin Roberts; Thomas Davies, Joey Tomlinson (captain), Peter Lloyd, Kieran Martin, Callum Bradbury, Tom Daley, Zach O’Driscoll, Morgan Allen
Reps: Rhys Carre, Ian Jenkins, Fraser Young, James Murphy, Sam Pailor, Scott Gibson, Steffan Jones, Llywarch Ap Myrddin
