The Steelmen are looking to reach a second consecutive Premiership final, and gain revenge for the SSE Swalec Cup quarter-final defeat they suffered at home at the hand of the Drovers, and head coach Nigel Davies is fully aware of the quality of the opposition his side will face.
“Llandovery will present a tough challenge for us. They’ve got pretty much a complete game, are very dangerous and pose a threat right throughout their team,” said Davies.
“We played them in the first part of the season and we got absolutely stuffed. We know what to expect and we just need to try and control the game.
“Even when we lost to them in the cup I thought we controlled the game for 80 per cent of the time. But with the pace they have, any half chances they get they’re going to take them – we’re going to have to defensively be on our game for 100 per cent of the time.”
Llandovery have been impressive this season and won their first piece of silverware when they lifted the SSE Swalec Cup aloft at the Principality Stadium for the second time last Sunday. Now they are one win away from the Premiership final.
Davies’s side will enter the occasion full of confidence having posted 10 consecutive league wins earlier in the season. They finished third overall and completed the double over table-topping Pontypridd, who beat them in last season’s Premiership final at Sardis Road, and notch a 14-6 home win over Llandovery.
“Getting to the play-offs is great and the boys have put a huge effort into the second half of the season and it’s the run of 10 consecutive wins that’s allowed us the opportunity. We know we are going to have to be right on top of our game to beat them, but we have beaten them once already this season,” added Davies.
A final against the champions of the past four seasons, Pontypridd, awaits the winner of Sunday’s clash and Davies believes his side is capable of succeeding where they failed at the final hurdle last season if they can win the semi-finals.
“Some teams are better set up to beat other teams. We are better set up to beat Pontypridd than Llandovery, especially after beating them twice this year,” he said.
Llandovery beat Pontypridd in the semi-finals of the SSE Swalec Cup and Drovers coach Euros Evans called an early halt to the celebrations after their cup final victory over Carmarthen Quins last weekend in order to concentrate on their next big challenge.
“Getting a trophy in the bag is really important and rewards all of the hard work that we’ve put in this year. It will also give us confidence going into the Ebbw Vale game,” said Evans.
“The players enjoyed their win over the Quins, but they were quickly reminded of how important it is t refocus on the play-off game against Ebbw Vale. When we won the cup last time we finished bottom of the league, so to be where we are now means you almost have to pinch yourself to realise how well these boys are doing.
“This group of players have answered every question we have asked of them and it’s been a really exciting season so far. Now we are all really looking forward to the Premiership play-offs.”
Llandovery outside half Jack Maynard reckons his team mates will be able to “just flick the switch to Sunday” having been boosted by their cup success. They all know that history beckons for their club.
“Ebbw Vale at home is going to be a massive game, but we’ve got heaps of confidence going into the game after our cup success. Everything now is focussed on the league,” said Maynard.
“It has been a bit of a strange season, with everyone beating everyone else, but the confidence we’re gained from winning the cup means we’ll obviously be backing ourselves to beat both Ebbw Vale and Pontypridd.”
