‘Road to Principality 2024’ kicked off with the early rounds of the many cup competitions across the country from ages 9-40+ and will end in 10 incredible days of non-stop action at the home of Welsh rugby between 19 March – 27 April.
There has already been one day of thrilling action, on Wednesday 6 December, when Bridgend & District Schools pipped Mynydd Mawr & Dinefwr Schools to win the Dewar Shield U16 for the first time in 18 years, Coleg Gwent retained the Welsh Schools U18 Girls final in crown by once again defeating Llandovery College, while the first all-schools final in the WSC Rugby U18 Boys competition was won by Llandovery College against Ysgol Glantaf.
That was some night in the Welsh capital and the action is set to hot-up as teams the length and breadth of the country battle for the right to have a big day out in Cardiff.
“Our ‘Road to Principality’ events are among the biggest rugby jamborees in Europe. Dozens of teams, hundreds of players and thousands of fans turn Principality Stadium into a passion-packed arena that has a distinct community feel,” said Geraint John, the WRU’s Community Rugby director.
“It is a day out for the schools and clubs to remember, a never-to-be-forgotten experience for every player, male and female, that gets to play on the hallowed turf.
“Principality Stadium may be the home of the Wales international team, but it was only built with the collective help of every member club and #RTP24 is the third edition of a pay-back to the Welsh rugby community.
“We’ve already seen our record try scorer, Shane Williams, play alongside his brother in the 2017 National Bowl Final with his home club Amman United, and welcomed a number of Welsh internationals who have played in the women’s finals.
“And it surely won’t be long before players graduate from a Dewar Shield U16 team, into a Warren Gatland XV. That’s what the ‘Road to Principality’ concept is all about – rewarding clubs, enthusing players and motivating youngsters.
“The results from the three full editions to date have been massively encouraging. The standard of rugby has been amazing, fans have turned up by the bus load from far flung clubs and schools and our unique ‘Inclusion Day’ continues to offer an opportunity to players from all walks of life to get involved in the national sport of Wales.
“The whole #RTP24 event is a massive undertaking for the WRU – 12 days, 33 cup finals and the ‘Inclusion Day’. If rugby is at the heart of the Welsh nation, then the ‘Road to Principality’ is at the core of the WRU.”
WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS?
This weekend (13/14 January) sees a number of teams involved in cup ties that ultimately lead to the Principality Stadium.
There are three fixtures in Round 3 of the Club U18 tournaments this weekend and a fourth on 20 January to complete the quarter-final line-up in the Cup, Plate and Bowl competitions:
Saturday, 13 January
Club U18 Cup: Fairwater v Penlan-Dunvant
Club U18 Plate: Colwyn Bay v Ebbw Vale
Saturday, 20 January
Club U18 Bowl: Abertysswg v Bryncoch
CLUB U18 QUARTER-FINAL DRAWS
Cup – 17 February
Caerphilly v Fairwater / Penlan
Gorseinon v Pontypool United
Lampeter Town v Llandeilo
Merthyr v Tonmawr
Plate – 17 February
Bargoed v Colwyn Bay / Ebbw Vale
Bontlands v Llandaff
Carmarthen Athletic v Ruthin
Carmarthen Quins v Morriston
Bowl – 17 February
Caldicot-Chepstow v Abertysswg / Bryncoch
Cwmbran v Kidwelly
Gowerton v Abercynon
Rhyl v Cardiff Quins
Next week (Wednesday, 17 January) sees the first round in the Welsh Schools & Colleges U18 competitions. There will be 32 teams taking part in the Cup and Plate sections.
It was Ysgol y Strade who took the top title last season, denying Ysgol Ystalyfera back-to-back wins in another thrilling final. They are due to kick-off their defence at Cwm Rhymni.
Strade v Ystalyfera in last year’s U18 Cup final
Matches in Round 1 of the Year 9 and Year 10 Cup competitions were due to be completed this week.
WELSH SENIOR SCHOOLS (WSSRU) U18 CUP – Round 1: 17 January
Bro Dinefwr v Merthyr College
Bro Myrddin v Cardiff HS
Cwm Rhymni v Ysgol y Strade
Dyffryn Taf v Bro Edern
Gwyr v Crickhowell
Haverfordwest HS v Llanishen HS
Maes y Gwendraeth v Bro Morgannwg
Stanwell v QEHS Carmarthen
WELSH SENIOR SCHOOLS (WSSRU) U18 PLATE – Round 1: 17 January
Aberaeron v Preseli
Bryntirion v Dyffryn Teifi
Caerleon v Porthcawl
Coleg y Dderwen v Bro Pedr
Garth Olwg v Brynteg
Llangynwyd v Greenhill
Maesteg v Chepstow
Penweddig v Plasmawr
SPECIAL EVENTS FOR THE WOMEN’S GAME
On the women’s front, the semi-finalists in the Women’s National Cup have already been resolved with Caernarfon producing the shock of the last eight by knocking out cup holders Pontyclun in extra-time, 37-32.
Unbeaten Admiral Premiership league leaders Llandaff North join the north Walians in the final four after a comfortable 39-0 win at Lampeter Town, while Admiral Championship leaders Ynysddu beat COBRA 17-5 to progress. The final semi-finalists are Seven Sisters, who beat Burry Port 45-14.
Caernarfon ladies are chasing another title
“We have more clubs playing in the Community and National Leagues this season and the women’s game is really embedding itself into Welsh sporting landscape. There are 11 more finals involving women’s teams from U12 to senior level to come in the #RTP24 schedule and two the two have matches surrounding Wales senior fixtures,” explained John.
“On Saturday, 23 March the WRU Girls U16-U18 Hub Finals will be played at Principality on the same day as Wales host Scotland in the Guinness Women’s Six Nations at Cardiff Arms Park. Three games will be played before there is a break for every to switch stadia to go and watch the international next door if they wish.
“The showpiece U18 Cup final will then take place after the Six Nations clash. On Saturday, 27 April a spectacular day of women’s rugby action kicks-off with Wales final Six Nations clash against Italy at Principality Stadium.
“That game kicks-off at 12.15pm and will be followed by the Women’s Bowl, Plate and Cup finals. It’s going to be a very special way to sign-off #RTP24.”
CLUB FINALS REACH KEY KNOCK-OUT STAGES
On the men’s club front, the Premiership Cup is at semi-final stage, while five of the other six competitions are at their quarter-finals. There will be 56 clubs hoping to stay on course for #RTP24 on Saturday, 20 January.
The Premiership Cup semi-finals take place at neutral venues on 2 March. Cup holders Cardiff were put out by Ebbw Vale, who have to take on the Indigo Premiership champions Llandovery to try to reach their first final since 1998.
The other semi-final will see Merthyr, the 2018 winners, meet Swansea, who were last in the final 24 years ago and haven’t won the title since 1998.
Lee Evans, Ed Siggery and Gavin Dacey celebrate Merthyr’s cup win in 2018
The Championship Cup was won by Pontypool last season, while the Division 1 title went to Newbridge. Division 3 Cup winners Abertillery BG are still in the hunt for this season’s Division 2 crown, while the Division 4 champions from #RTP23, Bryncethin, are still involved in the race for the Division 3 Cup.
WRU Premiership Cup – Semi-Finals: 2 March
Llandovery v Ebbw Vale (at Talbot Athletic Ground)
Merthyr v Swansea (at The Brewery Field)
WRU Championship Cup – Quarter Finals: 20 January
Bargoed v Llangennech
Bedwas v Brecon
Narberth v Dunvant
Ystrad Rhondda v Cardiff Met
WRU Division 1 Cup: Quarter Finals: 20 January
Llanelli Wanderers v Llandudno
Mountain Ash v Senghenydd
Porth Harlequins v Builth Wells
Rhydyfelin v Glynneath
WRU Division 2 Cup: Quarter Finals: 20 January
Abertillery BG v Penarth
Caerphilly v Porthcawl
Newport HSOB v Llanharan
Swansea Uplands v Aberavon Quins
WRU Division 3 Cup: Round 4: 20 January
Abercrave v CRC Caerdydd
Abertysswg / Laugharne v Baglan
Colwyn Bay v Rhymney
Fairwater v Penygraig
Nant Conwy II v Blaina
Nantyglo v Bryncethin
Nantymoel v Cardiff Quins
Rhyl & District v Cwmafan
WRU Division 4 Cup: Quarter-Finals: 20 January
New Panteg v Gwernyfed
Newport Saracens v Maesteg
Tonna v Tonyrefail
Ynysowen v Llantwit Major
WRU Division 5 Cup: Quarter-Finals: 20 January
Cwmtwrch v Penybanc
Deri v Seven Sisters
Dinas Powys v Rhigos
Ruthin II v Pwllheli II
ROAD TO PRINCIPALITY 2024
Tuesday, 19 March – WRU Welsh Schools Girls U12-U18 Finals
Girls Schools U12 Cup Final
Girls Schools U14 Cup Final
Girls Schools U16 Cup Final
Girls Schools U18 Cup Final
Wednesday, 20 March – Welsh Senior Schools & Colleges Rugby Union U18 Finals
Boys U18 Plate Final
Boys U18 Vase Final
Boys U18 Cup Final
Thursday, 21 March – Welsh Schools Junior Group & Welsh Schools Intermediate Finals
Junior Group U11 DC Thomas Bowl Final
Junior Group U11 DC Thomas Plate Final
Junior Group U11 DC Thomas Cup Final
Intermediate Group Year 9 Cup Final
Intermediate Group Year 10 Cup Final
Friday, 22 March – WRU Inclusion Day
Ummul Girls Academy & Principality Stadium Tour
Ethnically Diverse Schools Festival & PS Tour
Special Educational Needs Schools Festival & PS Tour
Mixed Ability Game
International Gay Rugby Game
Saturday, 23 March – WRU Girls U18 Hub Finals
Girls U16 Plate Final
Girls U16 Cup Final
Girls U18 Plate Final
Wales v Scotland 6N @Cardiff Arms Park
Girls U18 Cup Final
Tuesday, 26 March – Men’s Inter District Final
WRU Inter District Cup Final – 7.30pm
Friday, 29 March – WRU Boys U18 Club Finals
Boys U18 Bowl Final
Boys U18 Plate Final
Boys U18 Cup Final
Saturday, 6 April – WRU Men’s Division 5-2 Club Finals
Admiral Division 5 Cup Final
Admiral Division 4 Cup Final
Admiral Division 3 Cup Final
Admiral Division 2 Cup Final
Sunday, 7 April – WRU Men’s Division 1, Championship & Premiership Club Finals
Admiral Division 1 Cup Final
Admiral Championship Cup Final
WRU Premiership Cup Final
Saturday, 27 April – Women’s 6N & Women’s Finals
Wales v Italy 6N
Women’s Bowl Final
Women’s Plate Final
Women’s Cup Final
RESULTS TO DATE . . .
Wednesday, 6 December 2023
Dewar Shield U16 Boys Final – Bridgend & District School 19 -18 Mynydd Mawr & Dinefwr Schools
Welsh Schools U18 Girls Final – Coleg Gwent 39 – 0 Llandovery College
WSC Rugby U18 Boys Final – Llandovery College 28 – 13 Ysgol Glantaf
