The fixtures for all Specsavers National Leagues have now been published for season 2019/20 with much to look forward to according to WRU Community Director Geraint John:
“We are thrilled to welcome Specsavers on board as title sponsor of the WRU National Leagues and Cup competitions. The Leagues are the bread and butter of grassroots rugby in Wales and the Cup competitions provide an opportunity for clubs of all levels to make special memories that will last a lifetime. The news is a real boost for the profile of the club game in Wales and we look forward to working with Specsavers to create a real buzz next season.”
PONTYPOOL KICK-OFF TITLE DEFENCE AT HOME
Specsavers Championship clubs kick off the season knowing that the champion will automatically quality for promotion providing they meet the Premiership A Licence criteria.
Pontypool will launch their bid for a fourth successive championship title with a home clash against Beddau on 7 September.
The Gwent giants will be seeking to extend their unbeaten run in championship matches to 48 on the opening weekend of the 2019/20 season and could reach 50 by the end of September if they continue their dominance.
They head west to face new boys Ystalyfera on 21 September and then host Neath at Pontypool Park a week later. The opening month of the new campaign will also feature the first round of the WRU Specsavers National Cup.
Pontypool fell at the final hurdle in their quest to return to the top end of the community game when they were beaten by Llanelli in the play-off for the 12th and final place in next season’s reduced Premiership.
While Ystalyfera, who were crowned champions of Division 1 West Central, have gained promotion to the championship for the first time, Glamorgan Wanderers, winners of the Division 1 East Central title, return after a gap of two seasons.
Ystalyfera kick-off with a trip to Ystrad Rhondda, who finished as runners-up to Pontypool last season, while the Wanderers head to Maesteg Quins. The newly promoted duo are joined by four clubs relegated from the Premiership in making up the expanded league.
Neath, Bargoed, Cross Keys and Bedwas drop down and two of them will meet on the opening weekend when Bedwas head to Pandy Park to meet Cross Keys. Neath kick-off at Trebanos, while Bargoed go to Cardiff Met.
WRU Specsavers National Championship
September Fixtures
07/09/2019
Bedwas v Cross Keys
Cardiff Met v Bargoed
Maesteg Quins v Glamorgan Wands
Pontypool v Beddau
Tata Steel v Narberth
Trebanos v Neath
Ystrad Rhondda v Ystalyfera
14/09/2019
Specsavers National Cup Round 1
21/09/2019
Bargoed v Maesteg Quins
Beddau v Bedwas
Cross Keys v Cardiff Met
Glamorgan Wands v Tata Steel
Narberth v Trebanos
Neath v Ystrad Rhondda
Ystalyfera v Pontypool
28/09/2019
Bedwas v Ystalyfera
Cardiff Met v Beddau
Glamorgan Wands v Bargoed
Maesteg Quins v Cross Keys
Pontypool v Neath
Tata Steel v Trebanos
Ystrad Rhondda v Narberth
Specsavers Division One
Newbridge will start their new life in Specsavers Division One East with a short, but tough, away trip to Nelson, while reigning champions Brecon will also be on the road, heading to Blaenavon. Newly promoted Monmouth have a tough start against Penallta at home, while Senghenydd launch their campaign at Dowlais.
Specsavers 1 East
07/09/2019
Blaenavon v Brecon
Bedlinog v Pontypool United
Dowlais v Senghenydd
Monmouth v Penallta
Nelson v Newbridge
Risca v Brynmawr
There will be a new champion in Specsavers 1 East Central following Glamorgan Wanderers’ rise to the Championship. Last season’s runners-up, Rumney, will host Ynysybwl, while newly promoted Barry will entertain Rhiwbina.
The 2 East Central champions from last season, St Peter’s, head to Cambrian Welfare, while relegated Rhydyfelin kick-off at home against Porth Quins.
Specsavers 1 East Central
07/09/2019
Barry v Rhiwbina
Cambrian Welfare v St Peter’s
Rhydyfelin v Porth Quins
Rumney v Ynysybwl
St Joseph’s v Mountain Ash
Treorchy v Dinas Powys
There will also be a new champion in Specsavers 1 West Central after Ystalyfera earned their ticket into the championship for the first time. Their nearest rivals last season, WRU Plate finalists Bonymaen, kick-off at home against newly promoted Nantyffyllon, while the other promoted side, the Division 2 West Central champions Birchgrove, head to Tondu for their opener.
Specsavers 1 West Central
07/09/2019
Bonymaen v Nantyffyllon
Bridgend Athletic v Ammanford
Brynamman v Skewen
Glynneath v Dunvant
Tondu v Birchgrove
Waunarlwydd v Kenfig Hill
Newcastle Emlyn return to Specsavers 1 West for the first time since they won the title in 2015. Their four season stint in the championship came to an end last season and they will kick-off their season at Gorseinon.
Felinfoel’s quest for a hat-trick of titles will begin at home against Hendy, while Specsavers 2 West champions Penclawdd host Llanelli Wanderers in their first outing in the higher league. Pembroke, the other newly promoted side, head to Aberystwyth.
Specsavers 1 West
07/09/2019
Aberystwyth v Pembroke
Crymych v Llangennech
Felinfoel v Hendy
Gorseinon v Newcastle Emlyn
Penclawdd v Llanelli Wands
Whitland v Gowerton
Having lost only once last season as they won the title by an 18 point margin, Llandudno will launch the defence of their Specsavers 1 North crown at Bro Ffestiniog. Newly promoted COBRA and Dolgellau both face away trips on their return to the top tier.
Specsavers 1 North
07/09/2019
Bala v Dolgellau
Bro Ffestiniog v Llandudno
Llangefni v Caernarfon
Nant Conwy v Bethesda
Pwllheli v Dinbych
Ruthin v COBRA
Click below for full Specsavers Leagues fixtures. Round One Specsavers Cup and Premiership fixtures to follow next week
