There are three teams each from the East and West Central Divisions, and one each from East Central and the West, preparing for a moment of history for their clubs.
Both Crumlin, who face Ferndale in the Division 5 final, and Bryncethin, who meet Nantyglo in the Division 4 fixture, are returning for a second year in a row and the number of fans they will be bringing with them have rocketed from 2022.
It will be a special day for the Thomas brothers, with Steve coaching Vardre in the Division 3 final and Paul heading up the coaching team for Morriston in the Division 2 game. Joining Paul in the dug out will be former Wales outside half Arwel Thomas, who is the Morriston backs coach.
Geraint John, WRU Community Rugby Director
“We saw the desire of clubs to reach Principality Stadium last year for our club finals and decided to expand the programme to give even more the chance to enjoy a special day out. Given the number of tickets that have been snapped up, it seems the appetite is bigger than ever,” said WRU Community Director, Geraint John.
“The most pleasing thing for me is that so many of the teams are packed with players who have come through the mini and junior ranks at their clubs. To me, that proves the pathway created through the hard work of so many volunteer coaches, committee members and supporter is working incredibly well.
“The pride in seeing their clubs reach a final at the home of Welsh rugby has been obvious to see by the number of tickets that have been sold and the number of buses hired to bring fans to Principality Stadium.
“It promises to be a very, very special day out. For those who can’t come to the stadium, there is also the chance to watch on the WRU’s live stream on the official WRU You Tube and Facebook channels.
“There are so many wonderful stories emerging from each of the clubs – sons following in the footsteps of fathers in playing for their team, groups of players having grown up from U7 to senior sides and 11 of the Morriston Youth team that played in the National Youth Cup final at Principality Stadium in 2019 returning with the club’s 1st XV.”
Saturday, 8 April – NATIONAL MEN’S CUP FINALS (PART 1)
WRU National Division 5 Cup Final (11.00am): Crumlin v Ferndale
WRU National Division 4 Cup Final (1.15pm): Bryncethin v Nantyglo
WRU National Division 3 Cup Final (3.30pm): Abertillery BG v Vardre
WRU National Division 2 Cup Final (5.45pm): Aberdare v Morriston
The action kicks-off at 11.o0am with the first of the four finals between Crumlin and Ferndale.
WRU National Division 5 Cup Final – CRUMLIN V FERNDALE
If at first you don’t succeed, then why not try again. That was the motto for Crumlin after they went home from Principality Stadium last year disappointed at losing 52-19 to Tonna in the WRU National Shield final.
They used that defeat to make them even stronger this season and they overcame the same opponents in their semi-finals, Pontardawe, as they had done in 2022 to make what this season is the WRU Division 5 Cup Final.
It was a comfortable enough win in the semi-final, with five tries flowing from Dylan Foxwell, Cole Jones, Kiaran Lewis, Kyle Walton and Taylor Smith. Ryan Lewis added one conversion to help seal the deal.
With 12 wins in 13 outings this season in the cup and league, head coach Gavin Davies is hoping his captain and outside half Ethan Chess can pick up some silverware.
Looking to stop him from doing that in the final will be Ferndale, who boast an unblemished record this season. They sit proudly atop Division 5 East Central with 13 wins out of 13 and they also won the five games it took them to get to Principality Stadium for the first time.
Not only that, Marc Whitford’s side somehow found a way to squeeze past last season’s Bowl champions, Tonna, 15-14 in an emotional semi-final. It may have taken a last gasp try and conversion to win it, but Ferndale found a way.
They know how to win titles, having triumphed in the Glamorgan League Cup finals against Cilfynydd and Treorchy in 1910 and 1912.
DIVISION 5 CUP FINAL TEAMS
Crumlin: Joel Whitcombe; Corey Strickland, Ryan Lewis, Morgan Smith, Dylan Foxwell; Ethan Chess (captain), Cole Jones; Gavin Spencer, Jacob Hill, Dan Lewis, Jordan Hughes, Gethyn Hockey, Kiaran Lewis, Tyler Madden-Smith, Kyle Walton
Reps: Nathan Evans, Cameron Powell, Lloyd Davies, Evan Miles, Euan Lewis, Steele Jones, Scott Barnes, Taylor Smith
Ferndale: Luke Harris; Simon Warren, Jamie Wicks, David Gibbs, Nathan John; Kieron Parrish, Rhys Jones; Andrew Headford, Justin Rees, Curtis Whitford, Jordan Morgan (captain), Steve Daniels, Adam Jones, Sam Hodder, Liam Jones
Reps: Teifion Hight, Kurt Jones, Lee Jones, Thomas Davies, Sion Griffiths, Evan Wheeler, Tristan Butler, Gareth Way
FORM GUIDE
Crumlin
Division: 5 East
Place: 2nd
Record: P 7 W 6 D 0 L 1 Pts 30
Road To Final
25 March – Semi Final
Crumlin 27 – 3 Pontardawe
18 February – Quarter Final
Forgeside 12 – 24 Crumlin
28 January – Round 1
Crumlin 81 – 0 Pantyffynnon
Pool Stage
Crumlin 52 – 7 Beaufort
Magor 0 – 45 Crumlin
Ferndale
Division: 5 East Central
Place: 1st
Record: P 13 W 13 D 0 L 0 Pts 64
Road To Final
25 March – Semi Final
Tonna 14 – 15 Ferndale
18 February – Quarter Final
Ferndale 22 – 0 Crickhowell
28 January – Round 1
Ferndale 33 – 14 Rhigos
Pool Stage
Penybanc 7 – 71 Ferndale
Ferndale 17 – 7 South Gower
