Newbridge have obtained maximum points in all 17 of their Division One East League matches this season for a total of 85.
Nant Conwy have won their 13 outings in Division One North for a tally of 61. They edged out Cardiff club St Peters 23-22 in the semi-final of the Cup after accounting for Bonymaen 24-7.
It’s Nant Conwy’s latest visit to the home of Welsh rugby. They were the first north Wales club to reach a final at the Principality Stadium, losing 21-15 to Penallta 11 years ago.
A bus load of supporters and an army of cars will make the trip south to Cardiff, with others travelling by train.
Waiting for them will be a Newbridge team that won’t be over-confident with coach Jason Williams stressing: “They are not in the final for no reason. We haven’t got a lot of information on Nant Conwy but know they are committed and they like to play.
“It’s been a long journey for us since I became coach because Covid interrupted our plan. The boys have been drip-fed in the way we want to play.
“We have got a very good squad with a lot of players who have come through our mini and junior sections. We only run a squad of 28 because I don’t believe in players holding pads and not playing. I would prefer them to play elsewhere than do that,” said the former Abertillery, Newport, Pontypool, Newbridge and Ebbw Vale playmaker.
Wing Cain Jones has scored 22 tries after benefiting from a development season with Abercarn while Eamonn Rees and Robbie Turley have also scored more than 100 points this season.
Williams said centre Jonny Paynter, 20, has a skill-set which is “through the roof”, prop Mike Kavanagh possesses “brute strength and exceptional skills for a front row forward” while Matthew Jefferies is “another to watch”.
Williams quipped: “I have got half a team of Dragons Academy failures! Seriously, they are good players. Some of them are late developers, who like playing together and they’re a tight bunch. We are really looking forward to Sunday’s final and having a good crowd of Newbridge supporters behind us with the club putting on seven or eight buses to transport them to Cardiff.”
Nant Conwy coach Elgan Metcalfe said: “We are very proud of the players’ hard work and determination to reach the final once again. It’s a great occasion for everybody involved, players, coaches, managers and countless volunteers and supporters. We might be fewer in numbers than our opponents but I’m sure the Nant Conwy support will make their voices heard.
“Newbridge are a very well established and prestigious club with a wealth of history and are currently flying high. The final will be a huge and proud occasion for them also. They have a powerful brand of rugby with some tough men among their ranks.
“We like to play an expansive and, hopefully, attractive type of rugby. But we also know that we need to perform at the coal face.”
