Steve Law’s men are a point behind the Drovers and have a game in hand as they bid to clinch a home semi-final at the end of the regular league season and are only a point away from guaranteeing themselves a ticket into the play-offs.
When the Quins played in the Welsh capital earlier in the season, they conceded 12 tries in an 82-0 pre-Christmas thrashing that saw Dan Fish notch 27 points. Fish will be back for more, at full back this time, a week after inspiring his team to a big home win over Aberavon.
De la Rua’s promotion into the starting XV will see him follow in the footsteps of two teammates he lined-up alongside when Cardiff & Vale College won the Welsh Schools & Colleges League for the first time two years ago – outside half Harrison James and fellow back row man Mackenzie Martin.
All three have turned out for Wales U20 this year and will be hoping to make further progress at the Junior World Cup in France later in the year. They are the latest high-quality products off the CAVC production line, following in the footsteps of Wales international Ben Thomas.
“We’re giving players opportunities this week in Carmartehn to push for palces in the squad to take on Newport in the WRU Premierhsip Cup final next weekend,” said Law.
“There is plenty of talent in this squad even though there may not be too much synergy at the moment. We ‘re giving a first cap to Luca De la Rua and look forward to seeing what this talented back row player can do in Blue & Black.
“We’ve still got a lot of work to do in the league and we know it will be tough in Carmarthen – it always is.”
Game of another busy day in the race to the title will be at The Wern, where third placed Merthyr host fifth placed Ebbw Vale. Having just knocked Aberavon out of the top four, The Steelmen found themselves being given the same treatment by Newport on Wednesday night when the Black & Ambers beat Bridgend.
That made it six wins in a row for Matt O’Brien’s side and give back-to-back games against bottom of the table Llanelli, they now have it very much in their own hands to qualify for the play-offs.
But Ebbw Vale will have a say in the outcome of the title given they have to welcome sixth placed Aberavon and Cardiff to Eugene Cross Park before the league programme is completed. That said, a win in Merthyr is probably required to keep them in the race.
League leaders Llandovery head to Aberavon for a game the Wizards simply cannot afford to lose if they are to remain in the hunt for a play-off place. They found a way to win at Church Bank and a double over the Drovers would keep them in the picture.
