But rugby union going open in 1995, allowing the payment of players, and the introduction of a regional tier in 2003 above the club game have had a profound impact on Cardiff RFC and Newport RFC. (KO 5.35pm)
Nevertheless, derbies between the neighbours still mean much to players, management and supporters of the two clubs, and are hotly contested.
The last time the pair clashed, literally with sparks flying, in a Welsh Cup final – Cardiff won a cracker 28-21 – was at the National Stadium in 1986 with Wales wing Adrian Hadley getting a hat-trick of tries and Newport outside-half Paul Turner producing some spell-binding magic.
Before the introduction of a National League structure in 1989, Newport and Cardiff used to play each other four times a season. Cardiff managed on win all four in a campaign on a few occasions.
It wasn’t until last season that Newport managed the feat, completing it in the semi-final of the Premiership Cup and going on to lift the trophy.
Former Wales and Newport captain Brian Price used to say: “During my playing days for Newport I’d be asked which games I’d be looking forward to most. My answer would be Cardiff, Cardiff, Cardiff and Cardiff.
“It was a special fixture, but professionalism in the game and the changes it has brought has diluted matches such as this.”
Trying telling that to the personnel on show in Sunday’s Premiership Cup final though with Newport team manager Mark Workman, who was a forward with the Black and Ambers, saying: “Having people like Gareth Evans [ex-Wales and Lions back] and Brian ‘BJ’ Jones [former Wales centre], who is the club president, around highlights the importance of the fixture.
“Hearing them talk about the history when I was a relatively young player was why I fell in love with Newport RFC. Our victory over Cardiff in the semi-final was huge for the likes of BJ and Gareth because it was the first time we’d defeated them four times in a campaign.
“I would like to think there will be a big crowd for Newport v Cardiff, Pontypool in the Championship final and Newbridge in the Division One final, three Gwent clubs with proud histories.
“Hopefully, it will be a special day for us. We had a poor start to the season but turned it around. We are in quite a good place and we are the cup holders. We will have a good crack at Cardiff.”
Newport players to watch include outside-half or centre Matt O’Brien, No.8 Ben Roach, second row Ryan Woodman and his Wales U20 teammate, centre Harri Ackerman, who is just 18 and the Black and Ambers vice-captain.
“We have played Cardiff twice this season. We won at the Arms Park and they did in Newport,” said Workman. “Morgan Allen is a big ball-carrier in their back-row and Nathan Hudd, whose brother Craig is a second row for us, is a very good seven while I think their wing Dewi Cross is the leading try-scorer in the Premiership. They have quality throughout so we will have to be at our best.”
Cardiff coach Steve Law said: “There’s a huge rivalry between the clubs and we are both desperate to win something this season.
The Blue and Blacks have a promising hooker in 21-year-old Efan Daniel, who packs down between seasoned campaigners Mark Thomas and Wales international Scott Andrews.
“Efan’s work-rate, energy, attitude and appetite for the game is second to none,” said Law. “And Nathan Hudd is, I think, the best semi-professional openside flanker in the league. If he was given an opportunity, he could play professional rugby.
“Dewi Cross is still only 21. He came to us from the Ospreys and is a very exciting player who scores lots of tries. He’s got an attitude about him, which is good.
“Newport have a plethora of riches and have caused us a lot of problems. It’s two teams with ability in different areas. It has all the makings of being a very close game between two competitive teams.
“If both teams play to their potential, which I hope happens, it should be special, high-performance game and a great advert for the Premiership.”
