A repeat of the heroics from the Drovers against the Blue & Blacks in December, when they beat them 19-16 in a WRU Premiership Cup Pool match, would be just the ticket for head coach Euros Evans as they bid to clinch a top two finish to gain a home draw in the play-off semi-finals.
“We’re about as strong as we can be and we know how significant this game could be for us. They are in good form, although they will be stretched with reginal and Wales U20 calls,” said Evans.
“The first goal this season was to make the top four, then it was to clinch a top two spot. If we can beat them again, then we could cut the gap to a point where we can use our game in hand to catch them.”
The Drovers have strung together an impressive season two date and have lost only two games. They were beat at the Arms Park by Cardiff 29-26 on 29 October and at Merthyr on 12 January, 26-16.
Cardiff have also lost twice, by a point at home to Newport and at Aberavon, and are still the team everyone will have to beat to wrestle the title out of their grasp.
“It’s a top of the table clash that is live on TV and gives everyone an opportunity to showcase what they can do. As a squad we understand how vital it is to finish in the top four this season and the result of this game will go a long way to deciding where we are in terms of the end of the season reckoning,” said Cardiff head coach Steve Law.
“Last time we visited Llandovery, we had a very different mind-set in terms of the result, a result that saw us through to the semi-final of the cup. This time it will be a very different game.
“We have to bring our A game against what is a very strong Llandovery side. We will have to put in a performance if we want to get anything from the game.”
Law has borrowed former Ospreys lock Lloyd Ashley from Merthyr to sit on the bench and also has Wales U20 outside half Harrison James among the replacements.
Cardiff: Jacob Lloyd; James Beal, Ryan Wilkins, Arron Pinches, Joe Goodchild; Dan Fish, Tom Habberfield; Marc Thomas, Alun Rees, Scott Andrews, Sean Moore, James Richards, Ellis Thomas, Nathan Hudd, Morgan Allen (captain)
Reps: Rhys Barratt, Evan Lloyd, Freddie Barnes, Lloyd Ashley, Lewys Williams, Joe Williams, Harrison James, Will Keep
