By Graham Thomas
Welsh rugby is back.
It may not be a big fanfare opening as the regions and also the clubs involved in the new Super Rygbi Cymru are still in their summer slumber, but the third tier of the sport awakens this weekend.
This is what the Welsh Rugby Union like to call the community game. Or, at least that’s what they call it when they tell the clubs of the modest amount of funding they are about to receive.
When they expect those same clubs to help develop the international stars of tomorrow, they describe them as part of “the pathway.”
That, in essence, gets to the point of why there is a staggered start on Saturday, with the Admiral WRU Premiership kicking off, along with the Championship and National Leagues, whilst it’s another week until Super Rugby Cymru (SRC) begins.
The new-fangled SRC is the latest attempt at structural reform and consists of 10 teams.
It means fewer league fixtures and so there is an extra week before they arrive at the start line.
The bonus is that for one weekend only, the Premiership – what used to be the top club level beneath the regional game – has its time in the spotlight.
It may have dropped down a tier, but there are still some grand old clubs – plus a few ambitious newer ones – operating in the Premiership.
Neath, Pontypridd, Merthyr, Cross Keys, Newbridge, Bargoed and Cardiff Met are all there, as are more recent forces such as Brecon, Ystrad Rhondda, Narberth, Llangennech, Bonymaen and Newcastle Emlyn.
Pontypridd are taking life seriously as can be seen by the fact they have played five pre-season friendly matches already – and won all of them.
Perhaps the most eye-catching result was a 43-28 thumping of Cardiff, who will be playing in the level above this season, the SRC.
Ponty are not the only who made a point during their pre-season, with a notable scalp. Merthyr, who, like Ponty, chose not to take part in the SRC, beat Llandovery – the strongest team in Wales outside of regional rugby – 40-26.
Last season, former dual code international Rowland Phillips stood down as head coach at Merthyr midway through the campaign and was replaced by former Wales forward Ian Evans, along with Gareth Davies.
This season, the Irommen will be coached by Davies, with Rhys James and Dafydd Hellard as his assistants.
The third club who were left out of the SRC jamboree were Neath, who, unlike Ponty and Merthyr, were quite keen to get on board. That didn’t happen, much to Neath’s irritation after a long appeal process.
The Welsh All Blacks were not able to test themselves against SRC opposition in their friendlies, but they did hammer Talywain last week, 54-7.
Neath against Merthyr at The Gnoll could be the pick of the opening day fixtures on Saturday and that’s certainly where the bookmakers think the eventual champions will be getting their season underway.
Then, come outsiders Bonymaen and Newcastle Emlyn at 25/1.
Frustratingly for their fans, Pontypridd have a bye this weekend, while the Championship East winners from last season, Bargoed, will host newly promoted Llangennech.
Geraint John, head of community rugby at the WRU, insists: “The move to place the 10 Super Rygbi Cymru clubs into the professional game is vital in the development of our younger, aspiring players.
“It has also allowed us to make some key changes in our National League system.
“Having taken extensive soundings from clubs, coaches and players, we have been able to reduce the size of the vast majority of our leagues to 10 teams or less.
“This allows breathing space within the season and should allow us to finish the campaign on time, rather than trip over deep into May.”
Saturday May 7
Bargoed v Llangennech
Cross Keys v Bonymaen
Neath v Merthyr
Newbridge v Brecon
Newcastle Emlyn v Cardiff Met
Ystrad Rhondda v Narberth
