Cardiff and Merthyr’s showdown in the WRU National Cup final is the headline act of a week of community rugby events at Principality Stadium.
The Ironmen will look to defend their crown in an inter-regional final on Sunday, April 28, but must break past a strong Blue and Blacks side, who will be looking to win the trophy for the eighth time in their history.
Both sides currently occupy the top two places in the Principality Stadium, with Dale McIntosh’s side edging ahead after a comprehensive victory over struggling Bargoed on Saturday.
Cardiff and Merthyr go toe-to-toe on the day after Judgement Day, and more than 100 clubs across the country set to emulate their heroes and play on the hallowed turf. There will be plenty of representation from Wales’ Capital Region throughout the week.
Another club from the region to earn their place at the home of Welsh rugby on Sunday is Brecon RFC, who will take on Bonymaen in the National Plate final earlier in the day.
Brecon head coach, and former Cardiff Blues, Wales and Lions number eight, Andy Powell, said: “It is huge to be playing in that stadium, it’s a mad feeling. I’ve been there myself, but it’s not about me, it’s about these boys.
“They’ve worked hard all season and we targeted getting to the final. I’m simply over the moon, it’s the best feeling in the world and I will cherish this moment forever. This couldn’t have happened to a better bunch of lads.”
Monday will kick off with a Walking Rugby Festival, which includes representatives from Cambrian, Cardiff, Pontyclun and Pontypridd, before Cardiff Chiefs’ mixed ability side and the Cardiff Lions gay rugby team take to the Principality Stadium pitch.
Christ the King Cardiff, YGGG Llantrisant, Ysgol Glantaf and Whitchurch all feature in Tuesday’s WSRU finals, while nine Cardiff Blues players have been selected in the Wales Women Emerging squad to take on England U18 Talent Development Group in the evening.
Wednesday sees Aberdare Community School compete in the WSRU under-18 male cup final, with Cynon Valley Schools and Cardiff Schools playing their part in the DC Thomas and Dewar Shield finals respectively on the Thursday.
Both Cardiff Quins and Cardiff Met are in action on Saturday, May 4, as they take on Penallta and Morriston in the Youth Plate and Cup finals.
All the events can be found below.
Sunday 28th April – National Finals Day
– WRU Bowl Final – 1pm Abergavenny v Oakdale
– WRU Plate Final – 3-15pm Bonymaen v Brecon
– WRU Cup Final – 5-35pm Cardiff v Merthyr
Monday 29 April Inclusion Festival
– Walking Rugby Festival – 11am Aberystwyth, Cambrian, Cardiff, Cwmbran, Pontyclun, Pontypridd
– Riverside school festival – 1pm
– Mixed ability festival 4-30pm – 6-30pm Cardiff Chiefs, Colwyn Bay Stingrays, Dragons All Stars, Llanelli Warriors, Newtown Dragons, Swansea Gladiators
– International Gay Rugby match Cardiff Lions v Swansea Vikings
Tues 30 April Schools Finals and Wales Women Emerging v England U18 Development
– WSRU Junior Group 10 a side Final – 11-30am Christ The King Cardiff v YGGG Llantrisant
– WSRU Intermediate Group Year 8 Final – 12-45pm Ysgol Glantaf v Ysgol Y Gwyr
– WSRU Intermediate Group Year 9 Final – 2-15pm Brynteg v Whitchurch
– Wales Women Emerging v England U18 Talent Development Group – 6pm
Weds 1 May Schools Finals
– WSRU Senior Group – U18s Plate Final – 11-30am Cwm Rhymni v Bro Dinefwr
– WSRU Senior Group – U18s Vase Final – 1-30pm Bassaleg v Bro Myrddin
– WSRU Senior Group – U18s Female Cup Final (10 a side) – 4-30pm (U18 Girls Qualifiers 10am-6pm Cardiff Arms Park)
– WSRU Senior Group – U18s Male Cup Final 6pm Aberdare Community School v Coleg Sir Gar
Thurs 2 May Schools Finals
– Girls U15s National Festival – Cardiff Arms Park
– WSRU Junior Group – U11s DC Thomas Final – 12noon Pontypool Schools v Cynon Valley Schools
– WSRU Intermediate Group – Lawrence Miller Bowl – 1.15pm Aberavon Schools v Neath Schools
– WSRU Intermediate GRoup – Morgan Grifiths Plate – 2.45pm Carmarthen Schools v Swansea Valley Schools
– Girls U15s National Festival Final (10 a side) – 4-30pm
– WSRU Intermediate Group – Dewar Shield Final – 6-15pm Cardiff Schools v Swansea Schools
Fri 3 May Women’s Super Cup and girls U18 Cup final (*semi-finals Sunday 14 April, see below semi-finals)
– Girls U18 Cup Final – 5-30pm
– Women’s Super Cup Final – 7-15pm
Sat 4 May Male Youth Cup Finals and National Touch Finals (Youth Finals £5, free for u16s)
– National Youth Bowl Final – 10-40am Resolven v Tenby United
– National Youth Plate Final – 12-55pm Cardiff Quins v Penallta
– National Youth Cup Final – 3-10pm Cardiff Met v Morriston
– National Touch Finals – from 5-45pm
– *The Women’s Super Cup and Girls’ U18 Youth finalists will be decided this Sunday 14 April (home venues).