Cross Keys v Pontypridd – Cup Final Preview

On Saturday 5th April Pontypridd RFC travel to the capital to play Cross Keys RFC in the Welsh Cup final at the Principality Stadium. Kick-off is 5:35pm and the match will be shown live on S4C.

This Saturday’s final heralds Ponty’s first visit to the Principality Stadium since 2017, the last time the team reached the final of the cup. The Valley Commandos will be looking to lift the famous old trophy for the first time since 2014, and for a seventh time in the Club’s history tomorrow evening.

Ponty and the Keys have met on two previous occasions at the final stage at ‘the stadium’, and it’s one-all. In 2012 Cross Keys triumphed by 32 points to 19 before Ponty got their revenge two years later winning 21-8 in 2014 – the last time we lifted the trophy.

The Final Team News…

Ponty have made three changes to the XV that started last week’s league match at Brecon. On top of that there are also three positional switches and three new faces have come into the matchday squad on the bench.

In the backs Joel Raikes returns to start and scrum-half and Louis Rochefort-Shugar is drafted back in to the left-wing berth. These changes result in a reshuffle in the backline – Stuart Floyd-Ellis moves from the wing to outside-centre, Garyn Smith moves one place to inside-centre with Ioan Evans switching to flyhalf.

The sole change in the pack is a return at loosehead prop for Ben Stephens. The three new faces on the substitutes bench are Oliver Lewis, Aled Evans and Sam Talbot.

Missing out on the final because of injury are Cai James and Oli Shepherd.

The Pontypridd team selected to play Cross Keys is as follows:

15. Dale Stuckey. 14. Joe Davies. 13. Stuart Floyd-Ellis. 12. Garyn Smith. 11. Louis Rochefort-Shugar. 10. Ioan Evans. 9. Joel Raikes.

1. Ben Stephens. 2. Rob Jones. 3. Garyn Daniel. 4. Mitch Barnard. 5. Kristian Parker. 6. Lloyd Riley. 7. Cally James (c). 8. Joe Miles.

Subs: 16. Jeff Young. 17. Ben Drew. 18. Morgan Bosanko. 19. Oliver Lewis. 20. Aled Evans. 21. Lucus Welch. 22. Jaydan Pugh. 23. Sam Talbot.

You’ve already done the Club proud, pob lwc bois!

SUPPORTERS TRAVEL –

For supporters who have booked on the official Supporters Club transport, the buses are departing Sardis Road at 2:30pm. For all enquiries Phil Lycett’s number is 01443 662561. 

TICKETS –

You can still buy your tickets for the final direct from the Welsh Rugby Union here – https://www.eticketing.co.uk/principalitystadium/Events?preFilter=53&preFilterName=NATIONAL%20FINALS%20DAY%202025  Please note that all tickets for the event are digital

Ole!

 

 

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