The Pontypridd director of rugby can’t wait to see his side get stuck into their nearest, if not dearest, Indigo Group Premiership rivals and it won’t just be the thousands crammed into Sardis Road tonight that will be able to enjoy the battle. The game is live on BBC Scrum V.
“This is a massive game for us and it is right up there, if not just in front, of the game against Cardiff. These days it is the big local derby for us,” said Burnell.
“It is going to be hammer and tongs out there. There is massive respect across the board between the two clubs and we know Merthyr have a lot of talent that could be playing at a higher level.”
Merthyr, chasing a fourth title in a row, are currently in third place with Ponty one point behind. The top two teams, unbeaten Cardiff and Aberavon, clash at the Arms Park on the same night.
The Blue & Blacks will be looking to extend their 11 point lead at the top of the table and none of the chasing pack can afford to allow them to carry on extending their unbeaten run if they are to stop their pursuit of a league and cup double.
“It is much too early in the season to be talking about title defining weekends. We all know we can’t allow Cardiff to get much further ahead, but there are still 14 games to play,” said Pontypridd director of rugby, Justin Burnell.
“They have a squad with a wealth of experience and depth. We certainly don’t have that at the moment, but I’ve very happy with the way my young squad is developing and performing.
“We had Morgan Richards named as our man of the match in the win at Newport last weekend and we’ve got another 18-year-old, Mason Grady, playing for us against Merthyr. It’s exciting to see them develop alongside some of our older heads.
“We were delighted to see Shane Lewis-Hughes break into the Wales squad for next week’s game because we gave him a full season of Premiership rugby before he made the grade at the Blues. Other Premiership clubs can say the same thing about so many players they helped to develop.”
Up until last weekend, when they were turned over at home by resurgent Llanelli, Aberavon were also unbeaten. Now they need to get back on the horse and prove they are a match for the top team in the Premiership at the moment.
Cardiff saw regulars Ben Thomas and James Ratti make their European Challenge Cup debuts in the Blues win in Calvisano last weekend and both are on regional duty once again this weekend. Dan Fish and Jason Harries drop into the team for the game against the Wizards as Steve law’s side attempts to make it eight from eight.
“I’m over the moon with the start we’ve made and I couldn’t have asked for any more. I don’t think we are that much further ahead than anyone else in our personnel, but this is a good group of players that is growing in confidence and ability,” said Law.
“They are beginning to problem solve in games and they are obviously enjoying their rugby. The coaching group will continue to challenge them and we know that Aberavon will come looking to upset us.”
Cardiff face a tough run up to the New Year with a trip to Rodney Parade to face Newport next week and then hosting reigning champions on 14 December. They then head to Llandovery four days before Christmas and Sardis Road three days after.
Llandovery will be looking to pick themselves up after two narrow defeats in a row when they head to Swansea. They went down 33-31 at Merthyr last weekend in a game that was decided by a last minute penalty, while the previous weekend they were pipped 9-6 by Newport.
Llanelli will aim to build on their victory at Aberavon when they welcome Newport to Parc y Scarlets, while RGC 1404 host Ebbw Vale and Carmarthen Quins entertain bottom of the table Bridgend.
Indigo Group Premiership – Round 8
Friday, 22 November
Cardiff v Aberavon
Pontypridd v Merthyr
Saturday, 23 November
Carmarthen Quins v Bridgend
Llanelli v Newport
RGC 1404 v Ebbw Vale
Swansea v Llandovery
