Bargoed’s win over Pontypool last weekend left the door open for the north Walians to join Merthyr, Swansea and Bargoed in moving up to the Premiership next season and head coach Phil Davies knows that two wins will be good enough to leap-frog Pooler.
“We did our promotion chances a power of good by winning at Pontypool Park and now we know exactly what we have to do to go up. We can’t take anything for granted at Cardiff Met or Glynneath, especially as there is such a big prize on offer,” said Davies.
“We’ve been doing a lot of scenario work in training this week to give the players the chance to handle whatever gets thrown at them in the last two games. What to do if they lose a player, how to cope with pressure and what to do to chase a game.
“We have made a lot of positive strides this season, which is proved by the fact we have taken points off the top teams in the league. We weren’t able to do that last year, but we got five against Bargoed, nine against Pontypool and three against Swansea.
“Merthyr proved to be a bit too strong for us on both occasions and they have been the best team in the league.”
Wales Under 20 full back Rhun Williams will miss the game at Cardiff Met, which is set to be played in summer conditions. With temperatures set to soar to 26 degrees, Davies has had his players training wearing bin bags and two shirts to try to give them a taste of how hot it will be.
“It would be a huge boost for rugby in north Wales if RGC 1404 can make it into the top flight. There is a huge appetite for the game in the region and we’ve only just begun to scratch the surface of the potential,” added Davies.
Merthyr will confirm themselves as champions if they can win their 23rd game of the season at mid table Newbridge. Second placed Swansea travel to Llanharan, who are propping up the bottom of the table without a win and only two points – more than 100 less than the top two sides.
Bargoed will confirm third place if they beat Glynneath at home. A victory would also take last season’s champions through the 100 point barrier once again.
SSE Swalec Championship
Bargoed v Glynneath
Cardiff Met v RGC 1404
Llanharan v Swansea
Narberth v Beddau
Newbridge v Merthyr
