There will be top spot in the Premiership to play for at Pandy Park when second placed Newport arrive to face Cross Keys in the pick of the matches. Both teams are locked on 44 points after 12 matches, with Keys at the top thanks to one more victory.
But Pontypridd will host Cardiff in a Boxing Day fixture that stretches back 132 years and Aberavon will entertain Neath in a game dating back to 1946. The Blue & Blacks first met Ponty on Boxing Day i in 1883, when the Ponty notched their first win over their arch-rivals, 10-8, at the Arms Park.
The earliest Boxing Day encounter on record between the Wizards and Welsh All Blacks was on 26 December, 1946, when Neath won 10-0 at the Talbot Athletic Ground. What wouldn’t Gareth Llewellyn’s side give for a victory like that this year, having seen his side fail to notch a Premiership win in the first half of the season to date.
But all eyes will be firmly fixed on Pandy Park, where the home side have recovered from losing their first two matches of the season to lead the way into the Christmas period. Head coach Greg Woods can’t wait to see his side tested to the full in a game that has captured the imagination of rugby lovers in Gwent.
“It’s always a big game, the best fixture in the year, and with us both sitting at the top of the league it just makes even more exciting – this is all about Gwent bragging rights,” said Woods.
“We haven’t lost in the league since September, but we know we have to be on our game because Newport and are playing some really good stuff. They are having a great season and head coach Craig Warlow is doing a fantastic job with them.”
While Warlow insists that the Boxing Day match “won’t define our season”, he knows only too well that if his side is to build a Premiership winning campaign then they must take points off the teams around them at the top. Keys have won the last six games between the two teams.
Keys full-back Ethan Davies and Newport back row man Sam Cross are both back from Wales Sevens and ready to play, duty while former Bargoed outside half Josh Prosser is fit to return from a knee injury for the home side.
Llandovery will be looking to keep their name in the frame for the title by going one better than the 22-22 draw they had with Carmarthen Quins at Church Bank in the Foster’s Challenge Cup last month when they host the Quins once again. They were beaten 29-7 in the corresponding festive fixture in Carmarthen last year, while in 2013 there was little to split the two teams in a 30-28 home win for the Drovers.
But this season it is Llandovery who have been leading the way and they are currently lying in fourth place in the Premiership table, four points behind Cross Keys and Newport. Quins are in ninth with four wins.
Pontypridd and Cardiff have met over the previous two weekends in the Foster’s Challenge Cup, with Ponty coming out on top 32-16 at home and 44-30 at the Arms Park. Cardiff Blues lock Chris Dicomidis will line-up for the home side, who will also have former Wales and Blues outside half Ceri Sweeney on the bench.
Pontypridd RFC officials have stated that a pitch inspection will be carried out at Sardis Road on Saturday morning when the decision to play or not will be made. The outcome posted will be posted on the club’s website and on social media.
It will be sixth against seventh in the Premiership when Ebbw Vale host Bedwas at Eugene Cross Park, while much-improved Bridgend host Llanelli at the Brewery Field in the other fixtures.
