Merthyr, last season’s Cup winners, and Cardiff, seven time winners and four time runners-up, may have been here before, but even for many of their players an back room staff it will be a once in a lifetime experience.
Cup Final day in Welsh rugby has been going strong since Neath won the WRU Challenge Cup at the home of Welsh rugby here in Cardiff back in 1972. The addition of the Bowl and Plate finals came in 2009 and last year fans were treated to 191 points across four hours of fantastic rugby action.
2018 WRU National Finals Day
Bowl: Porthcawl 33-31 Pembroke
Plate: Brynmawr 50-29 Nant Conwy
Cup: Merthyr 41-7 Newport
Merthyr remain on course for a Principality Premiership and WRU National Cup double for the second straight season and what an achievement that would be. The last team to do that were Pontypridd in 2013/14 when a certain Dale McIntosh was in charge at Sardis Road.
These days ‘Chief’ is running the operations at Merthyr – and doing a pretty fine job of it. Cardiff, meanwhile, remain hopeful of spoiling the Merthyr party in both competitions after what has been a much improved season for the Blue & Blacks.
“I’m over the moon for the players, the coaches, the club, all the supporters, and everybody involved with Cardiff. Cardiff is a massive club steeped in history and the boys have done brilliantly this season to reach the final,” said Steve Law, the Cardiff head coach.
You have to go back to 2009 for the last time Cardiff won silverware, the Premiership title, and 2007 for their last appearance in the Cup final. They won the last of their seven cup titles as far back as 1997.
These days all the experience is in the Merthyr camp.
Merthyr co-captains Craig Locke and James Howe know a thing or two about winning the WRU National Cup.
The duo both played in the great Pontypridd side that completed the double-double back in 2014 and are seeking to repeat that feat with the Ironmen this afternoon.
Loosehead prop Howe first played at Principality Stadium with Merthyr Youth before spreading his wings and playing senior rugby at Sardis Road and for a season at Bargoed. Second row Locke started at Pontypridd before heading to The Wern.
This weekend will be Howe’s fifth visit to the home of Welsh rugby while Locke is hoping to pick up his fifth winners’ medal from his seventh final appearance.
Their experience in the Merthyr front five will be crucial on as they bid to down regional rivals Cardiff.
“It is 1-1 this season between us and Cardiff and it would be good to get one over on them. I was at Pontypridd when we did the double-double back in 2014 and I know just how much everyone wants to knock you off your perch,” said Howe.
“A cup final at Principality Stadium is something special and great for Welsh rugby. It is a cracking occasion for the players, coaches and families.
“But you have to make sure you remember it is just one game and you must not let the occasion get to you.”
Last season Howe was able to relax and savour the big match atmosphere because he was confined to the stands because of a serious anterior cruciate knee ligament injury that kept him out from November onwards. This year he is back for more and is hoping to make up for missing out on convincing the 2018 cup final win over Newport.
“I was injured last year and so I was lucky enough to be able to take it all in. When you are playing you aren’t quite able to do that because it just goes so fast,” added Howe.
“It will be my fifth time at the Principality Stadium and it would be great to take the Cup back to Merthyr.”
But before the main event of the day there will be two other mouthwatering classics to look forwad to. In the Bowl final, Abergavenny face fellow Division 2 East side Oakdale with both teams in search of a deciding win this season after home wins in the league.
In fact, Abergavenney, coached by former Wales back row man Nathan Thomas, are the only team to beat Oakdale this season. A second triumph with a trophy on the line would crown their campaign.
Thomas made his Wales debut at the old Cardiff Arms Park 23 years ago when he had to play against world-class South African stars Joost van der Westhuizen and Gary Teichmann on his international bow. He already has a Heineken Cup winners’ medal in his locker from his days at Bath and even at 43 is likely to make an appearance on the field today in the biggest game in Abergavenny’s 144-year history.
Another former Wales back row star, Andy Powell, has a stake in the Plate final, where his Brecon side will face Bonymaen. Brecon were beaten for the first time this season last week and don’t intend another slip-up today as they go in search of a league and cup double.
“The boys really deserve to have reached the final. It couldn’t have happened to a better bunch,” said Powell, who needs only one more point to see his side clinch the Division 1 East crown.
“They have worked so hard this season. It is all about them and their hard work is being rewarded. It is fantastic for the club, the town and all the players’ families who will have an unforgettable day out at the Principality stadium.”
It is a similar situation for Bonymaen, who saw their hopes of winning the Division 1 West Central title last week go up in smoke with defeat at Maesteg Celtic. Now all their foucs is on winning the Plate.
“It’s one game, a cup final, and everything that has gone before goes out of the window. It just comes down to the 80 minutes of rugby that’s in front of the boys. It’ll be about hitting it hard and then hopefully we’ll come back with a win,” said Bonymaen team manager, Dai Allen.
“It’s a magnificent stadium to play in and it’ll be the team that handles the occasion best who will come out on top. That’ll be the difference, not letting the occasion get to you.
“Everyone is pretty much available and those carrying niggles will be fine I’m sure. One of the boys is away in Cyprus for his brother’s wedding, but he has booked an earlier flight to come back to make sure he’s available for selection. That’s what it means to us.”
