Newport will launch the defence of their Super Rygbi Cymru title with a home clash against Llandovery when the new season kicks-off on Saturday.
The Black & Ambers celebrated their 150th anniversary season in thrilling style with victory over regular league season winners Cardiff in the semi-finals and then Ebbw Vale at Eugene Cross Park in the inaugural final. In doing so, they took the Steelmen’s unbeaten home record into the bargain.
Ty Morris’ side went into the final on the back of an eight-match unbeaten run as they went one better than the previous season when they lost the then Indigo Premiership final against Llandovery at Church Bank.
The Drovers beat Ebbw Vale in the SRC Cup final on home soil to end the season with some silverware.
“The first game of the season is always tough with new players coming in. It’s nice to get off to a winning start, but the most important thing, as we found last season, is to build strongly into the end of the campaign,” said Morris.
“It seemed as though the stars were aligned in our favour last season with it being our 150th anniversary and the final coming so soon after the death of ‘Mr Rugby’ in Newport, out president, Brian Jones.
“It was great to get across the line after the disappointment of the previous year. The challenge now is to build on that success.
“Stalwarts Rhys Jenkins and Eliott Frewen have hung up their boots, Ioan Davies has qualified as a doctor and will be concentrating on his work, while Wales U20 wing Ollie Andrews is taking a step back from the game.
“With a few other departures we will be eight or nine players down from last season. There are new players coming in and we’ve also lost backs coach Jack Dixon to Bridgend and replaced him with Chadd Mutyambizi, from St Peter’s.”
Cardiff will head north to open their season in Colwyn Bay against RGC, while Ebbw Vale will look to get their home record back on track when they host Aberavon. Pontypool welcome Swansea, while Carmarthen Quins entertain Bridgend.
SUPER RYGBI CYMRU ROUND 1 – 13 SEPTEMBER
- Ebbw Vale v Aberavon
- Carmarthen Quins v Bridgend
- Newport v Llandovery
- Pontypool v Swansea
- RGC v Cardiff
“The overall reaction to the changes that brought in the Super Rygbi Cymru was very favourable from the perspective of the clubs, the players, the union, the fans and the fans. The broadcasters were also very happy with the figures the tournament produced,” said John Alder, head of player development at the WRU.
“The SRC Cup tournament will be played over a more compressed format during the Six Nations window and will culminate in Cup and Plate final. The ‘Rivals Rounds’ will be either side of Christmas, rounds 12 and 13, and the season will start and finish a week earlier than last year.
“We’ve also decided to award a trophy to the team that leads the league at the end of the regular round of 18 matches.”
The SRC Cup will kick-off on 24 January 2026 with Pontypool hosting RGC and Carmarthen Quins welcoming Newport in Pool A, in Pool B, Llandovery and Bridgend will be at home and will welcome Swansea and Aberavon respectively.
SRC CUP – Pool A: Cardiff, Carmarthen Quins, Newport, Pontypool, RGC
SRC Cup – Pool B Aberavon, Bridgend, Ebbw Vale, Llandovery, Swansea
