There are two games this Saturday in the Welsh Premier League with Valley Cougars hosting Bridgend Blue Bulls and Cardiff Blue Dragons entertaining Llanelli Knights.
The Cougars were unbeaten last season and at Treharris RFC this Saturday (kick-off 2.30pm), they come up against the side who have won more Welsh championships than anyone else.
It’ll be Bridgend’s first game of the season and they can’t wait to get their campaign underway.
Their team manager Stephen Smith said: “We are excited to start finally after last week’s game was postponed. We’ve only had limited preparation and we know we will face a strong Cougars side. However we’re feeling positive for the new season.”
Cardiff take on Llanelli at Rumney RFC as their regular Glamorgan Wanderers home is being used on the Saturday, however the two sides do meet at under 15 level on Sunday at the Wanderers.
In Betfred League 1, West Wales Raiders travel to Hunslet this Sunday (kick-off 3pm) where Welsh international Connor Farrer could make his 100th professional appearance.
The 22-year old made his debut for South Wales Scorpions on June 10th 2012 aged just 17 years and 4 days after working his way through the South Wales RL youth ranks starting at aged 13. He made 89 appearances for the Scorpions and has won six full Welsh caps.
North Wales Crusaders’ first team take on Coventry Bears at Queensway Stadium this Sunday (kick-off 2.30pm) where the visitors could field up to six Wales international players. Full capped players Ashley Bateman and Paul Emanuelli are with the Bears, as is student international Liam Rice-Wilson and age-grade international players Chris Vitalini, Zak Williams and Rhys Gant.
Crusaders under 12’s will host Rylands Tiger Sharks in a curtain raiser.
In South Wales on Sunday, there’s a triple header of matches at Aueurin Park, Penyrheol, Caerphilly, where Aber Valley Wolves host Torfaen Tigers at under 13, 15 and 17 levels plus rugby league returns to Swansea on Sunday where Bridgend Blue Bulls under 13s are visitors to Penlan Wild Stallions.
This weekend’s WRL fixtures…
BETFRED LEAGUE 1 – North Wales Crusaders v Coventry Bears, Hunslet v West Wales Raiders.
PREMIER LEAGUE – Cardiff Blue Dragons v Llanelli Knights, Valley Cougars v Bridgend Blue Bulls.
UNDER 17 – Aber Valley Wolves v Torfaen Tigers
UNDER 15 – Aber Valley Wolves v Torfaen Tigers, Cardiff Blue Dragons v Llanelli Knights,
UNDER 13 – Aber Valley Wolves v Torfaen Tigers, Penlan Wild Stallions (Swansea) v Bridgend Blue Bulls