While the Drovers head to Carmarthen Park on Saturday, Cardiff head up the A470 to face Pontypridd at Sardis Road, Swansea will host Bridgend and Aberavon will welcome Neath to the Talbot Athletic Ground.
Sunday will see the biggest club game in Gwent in more than a decade when newly promoted Pontypool travel to Rodney Parade for a game that is bound to pack in the fans. Meanwhile, Merthyr will take the heads of the valleys road to Ebbw Vale to complete the opening round programme.
INDIGO PREMIERSHIP ROUND 1
Saturday, 2 September
Aberavon v Neath (5.00pm)
Carmarthen Quins v Llandovery (2.30pm)
Pontypridd v Cardiff (2.30pm)
Swansea v Bridgend (2.30pm)
Sunday, 3 September
Merthyr v Ebbw Vale (2.30pm)
Newport v Pontypool (5.15pm)
Pontypool earned promotion to the Indigo Prem after winning last season’s Admiral Championship
There are 13 teams in this season’s tournament, with RGC sitting out the opening weekend, and the champions for the season will once again be determined by an end of season play-off involving the top four clubs.
Last season, reigning champions Cardiff finished on top of the table, but then lost at home to Llandovery in the Play-Off Final. It was the first time Llandovery, twice winners of the WRU Challenge Cup, had won the league title.
With Llanelli pulling out of the league for this season, Pontypool and Neath were promoted from the Admiral Championship and can’t wait to be back in the big time.
“We’ll be playing against fitter, sharper, stronger boys this season compared to last and we won’t be able to get away with things we used to,” said Pontypool’s director of rugby, Leighton Jones.
“It is a different league and a different animal and hopefully the boys will learn quickly. Physicality is something we pride ourselves on, and we are still building and looking to improve.”
Scott Matthews will once again lead Pooler, who have recruited nine new players to join 29 from their all-conquering team of last season. Mat Flanagan (scrum half), Lance Randall (lock), Alex Grey (lock), Ollie Drake (prop), Will Griffiths (hooker), Matt Bancroft (utility back), Lewis Johnson (back row), Ben Moa (back row) and Nick Selway (prop) have all arrived and will add greater strength in depth to the ambitious squad.
Reigning champions Llandovery have warmed up for their campaign with wins over Llangennech and Bourneville and a defeat to Bridgend at the Brewery Field. They lost out on a game at Cinderford when their bus broke down.
“The fact that last season ended so late – with the Premiership final against Cardiff on 21 May – has made pre-season planning a little challenging,” admitted Drovers head coach, Euros Evans.
“That said, we are happy with the squad that we have assembled and are hopeful of another good season in what is looking to be even more a test than last year. We’ve lost two outstanding players in back five forwards Iestyn Rees and Griff Evans, who have left to further their ambitions with English Championship side Ampthill.
“Hooker Ricky Guest has retired and Kris Jones has gone back to his home town club Trebanos after giving us six great years of service as an utility back. Our new signings are a mixture of seasoned performers and young talent and will fit in with our philosophy of open and entertaining rugby.”
The demise of Llanelli has allowed Evans to recruit seasoned pros Nathan Hart and Chris Long to pep up his pack and two hookers have joined from the Scarlets in Taylor Davies and Llew Phillips Taylor. Back three player Finn Evans is a former Osprey Academy skipper.
Wales U20 fly half Harrison James will feature for Cardiff this season
Cardiff have held onto skipper Morgan Allen for their tilt at another title and Cardiff Rugby Academy manager Gruff Rees is keen to see how the club’s youngsters develop once again this season in ‘The Rags’.
“As with previous seasons we will be collaborating closely with our local clubs and giving players potential opportunities to transfer some of their form in the lower leagues into the challenge of the Indigo Prem,” said Rees.
“With the senior squad reduced this season we still need to recruit in a few areas and now have the means to do that, including extra sponsorship support that we have worked hard to bring in that was not there before.
“There are fewer attached Academy players – Matti Young, Kodie Stone, Harri Wilde, Cameron Tyler-Grocott, Adam Williams and Lucas De La Rua – as the age demographic has gone down, but we are really excited by their potential.
“Transition players will train full-time with the senior squad, but we still look forward to supporting their development needs. The rugby delivery will continue to be led by Steve Law, who brings his experience and wisdom to the fore and aligns to the Academy ethos.”
Ex-Cardiff Rugby wing Jason Harries will be playing in Blue & Black this season after taking up a contract in tandem with a commercial job at the club, while Cardiff University skipper Luke Pollock has joined the squad with his student teammates Dai Jones and Ethan Phillips.
Shaun O’Rourke has joined from Glamorgan Wanderers and Craig Hudd has come in from Newport. Will Gregory is an exciting addition from Championship club Cross Keys, while Wales U20 outside half Harrison James will join prop Freddie Barnes in the Indigo Prem on contract from the Cardiff Rugby Academy.
S4C Live Matches
Sunday, 3 September: Newport v Pontypool (5.15pm)
Thursday, 14 September: Merthyr v Neath (7.30pm)
Thursday, 28 September: Llandovery v Cardiff (7.30pm)
Thursday, 12 October: Ebbw Vale v Llandovery (7.30pm)
Thursday, 19 October: Swansea v Aberavon (7.30pm)
Thursday, 2 November: Pontypool v Ebbw Vale (7.30pm)
Aberavon have recruited a wealth of young talent in Wales U18 caps Saul Hurley, Kyle Harris and Scott Delnevo and have also picked up Team GB Sevens star Morgan Williams. James Davies, the Swansea outside half, has switched allegiance, while former Wales U20 lock Rhys Thomas has returned from exile at Coventry.
Another addition to Jason Hyatt’s squad is the former Carmarthen Quins scrum half Aron Hemmings. Aberavon open against arch-rivals Neath, who have returned to the top-flight after finishing as runners-up to Pontypool in last season’s Admiral Championship.
Former champions Merthyr have handed the captaincy reins to Paddy McBride after Craig Locke stood down having served in the post for seven seasons. The Ironmen’s summer recruitment has seen them pick up former Dragons flanker Ben Fry, who could find himself playing against his younger brother, Harry, who has joined Newport from the Dragons.
The Black & Ambers have added 15 players to a squad that will be led by former Wales Sevens cap Ben Roach. Lock Barney Langton-Cryer and hooker Tyler Olding have joined from Cardiff Met, full back Ioan Davies has come in from the Dragons along with Fry, while Carwyn Penny will fill in at outside half after returning from Cornish Pirates.
RGC head coach Ceri Jones will have an extra week to prepare his side after being given a bye in the first round. He has had to say goodbye to stalwart Danny Cross, who is heading to Hong Kong to play for Kowloon, while Sam Rogers has stepped up to England Championship level by joining Caldy.
Wales 7s star Lloyd Lewis will once again pose a threat on the wing for Newport (Pic: Simon Latham)
The biggest signing for the ‘Gogs’ in the summer was former England U20 world championship winner and ex-Dragons back five player Huw Taylor. Their chances this season will depend on how quickly some of their senior players who are currently carrying injuries recover.
Ebbw Vale beat Newbridge and Clifton in their build-up to the new season. They may have lost scrum half Matthew Flanagan, but ex-Pontypridd scrum half Rory Harries has come in to fill his place and Morgan Davies has returned from Brynmawr to add strength to the front row.
Second row Kris Parker will once again lead Pontypridd and will have former youth team products, Garyn Smith and Macauley Cook, as his vice-captains. After a couple of poor seasons, Ponty’s recruitment in the summer has been much improved and they look capable of upsetting a number of teams over the course of the winter.
Wales U20 outside half Josh Phillips has joined from Llanelli and scrum half Harvey Nash has come in from the Ospreys academy. Ryan Wilkins has joined from Cardiff Rugby and they will have a fully-fledged international option in the back row after Sion Parry picked up a Canadian cap in the summer.
Former Wales and Ospreys second row Bradley Davies is a new addition to the coaching staff at Bridgend, who will have the younger brother of newly capped Wales centre Max Llewellyn, Alfie, bidding for a start in the back row. Meanwhile, Neath will be hoping Pat Horgan can get even more out of his Championship squad of last season when they step up a grade. They went down to Swansea and Richmond in two of their three warm-up matches, beating Builth Wells 52-14 in the other.
Swansea also beat Morriston, but went down 45-35 to Bedford Blues. Hugh Gustafson will be hoping to build on an encouraging season last time out and will be well placed if the Ospreys release their hoard of Wales U20 players to them once again – Morgan Morse, Harri Houston, Tom Florence and Dan Edwards.
Chief executive office of Indigo Group Ian Cole-Wilkins, said: “As we embark on another season of the Indigo Premiership, I am delighted to extend a warm welcome to all fans, players, and clubs who share our passion for the sport. At Indigo Group, our commitment to collaboration, and fostering lasting partnerships and friendships aligns seamlessly with the values that rugby embodies.
“Rugby has always held a special place in our heart, and we feel privileged to be able to support local rugby within Wales for another year. I am also thrilled to announce that throughout the 2023/2024 Indigo Premiership season we will unveiling some new initiatives that will help further support local rugby. These initiatives will empower clubs and local businesses alike, creating a winning environment for all involved.”
