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CUP PREVIEW: RGC target history

CUP PREVIEW: RGC target history

Former Wales wing Mark Jones is relishing the opportunity to return to Principality Stadium on Easter Sunday.

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Jones is head coach at Colwyn Bay-based RGC 1404 who take on Pontypridd in the National Cup final.

Jones – who scored 13 tries for his country – is excited to coach his team at the home of Welsh rugby. 

But he knows whichever side is the more clinical will take home the crown.

He said: “It’s a big achievement to get to the final, but what I don’t want is for it to get over hyped.

“The pitch is tremendous and it’s a big bit of grass. I remember from playing on it there’s nothing like Principality Stadium for tiring you out.

“There are a lot of wide open spaces and we want to utilise that with our backs. That’s what we’ll be aiming to do, but Pontypridd have a back three who aren’t exactly shy of space either.

“It will be an exciting game and whoever executes the better will come out on top.”

RGC have plenty of talent in their ranks including Jacob Botica – son of Llanelli and New Zealand legend Frano – at outside-half and 330-cap former Scarlets veteran Phil John at prop.

The forward tasted National Cup success in 2007 when Llandovery beat Cardiff 20-18.

John and coach Jones played together at Scarlets when they won the Celtic League in 2004.

The pair will be hoping to lift more silverware together on Sunday, but John wants to ensure RGC enjoy the moment whatever the final result.

“This is a great opportunity for the boys this weekend,” he said.

“To come to Principality Stadium in front of a big crowd is going to be a great occasion for rugby in north Wales.

“There are a lot of people in south Wales who haven’t heard of RGC and if we play well in Cardiff and put our name on the cup, then hopefully people will sit up and take notice.

“There’s a lot of excitement in the squad and we hope to enjoy the day.”

Jones’ men thumped Pontypridd 47-17 when the teams last met on January 7 at Parc Eirias in the Principality Premiership.

Nigel Owens oversaw that game, but Sardis Road second-row and stand-in captain Chris Dicomidis is keen to brush that disappointment aside and help the Valley Commandos scoop a seventh National Cup.

Dicomidis captains Pontypridd in the absence of injured centre Dafydd Lockyer.

He said: “RGC are a quality side and we’ve had a tough loss to them this season already.

“They’ve got a quality 10, a big strong 12, and two really quick wingers. They like to spread the ball wide and we need to be ready for that.

“At Pontypridd we have a lot of pride in the fact we do well in knock-out rugby. We’ve had a fair bit of success in cup finals at Principality Stadium in the last 10 years, but the last time we were here we lost to Bridgend which was a bit of a shock. We’re determined to not let that happen again.”

RGC beat Merthyr 26-20 to book their final date, whilst Pontypridd edged over the line against Cross Keys, coming out 42-37 victors in a high-scoring encounter.

Pontypridd: Geraint Walsh; Lewis Williams, Cameron Lewis, Gary Williams, Dale Stuckey; Ben Jones, Wayne Evans; Joe Popple, Liam Belcher, Mitch Auger, Lee Evans, Chris Dicomidis (capt), Alun Lawrence, Rhys Shellard, Hemi Barnes
Replacements: Dane Blacker, Callum Hall, Bradley Coombes, Huw Dowden, Sean Moore, Peter Sidoli, Liam Bodman, Keiron Assiratti

RGC: Afon Bagshaw; Sam Jones, Tom Hughes, Tiaan Loots, Rhys Williams; Jacob Botica, Alex Schwarz; Phil John, Evan Yardley, Ross Davies, Maredydd Francis (captain), Andrew William, Tim Grey, Josh Leach, Huw Worthington
Replacements: Rhys Williams, Joe Simpson, Sam Wainwright, Henri Williams, Will Bryan, Mei Parry, Efan Jones, Carwyn ap Myrddin

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