Revamped Principality Premiership preparing for lift-off

IT'S all systems go tomorrow as the new-look Principality Welsh Premiership kicks off with some eye-catching clashes involving all 12 clubs.

That number of course doesn’t include Pontypool. They lost a bitter court battle with the WRU over their relegation to the new Championship after the union’s decision to cut the top flight from 14 teams to a dozen.

However, first up, reigning champions Pontypridd go to Cross Keys – the Pandy Park side beat the Valley Commandos in the Welsh Cup final in May – while The Gnoll hosts a classic derby tussle between Neath and Swansea.

The showdown in Gwent could well be a battle of the two teams who are contesting the Premiership title come the end of the season though the likes of Llanelli and Aberavon should have something to say about that.

In other matches tomorrow, Cardiff, looking for a big improvement under new director of rugby Martyn Fowler, entertain Llandovery at the Arms Park and Llanelli face a tough opener at the Brewery Field against Bridgend.

Simon King’s Aberavon, who came third last term, get their campaign under way at home against Newport while Carmarthen Quins head east to take on Bedwas at Bridge Field.

For Pontypridd head coach Dale McIntosh, he knows his men are there to be shot at this season and it will take a huge effort if they want to retain the trophy won on home soil at Sardis Road in May.

“There are some good teams out there,” he said. “Every single team in this competition is going to be a threat and if you disrespect them you are going to get what you deserve.

“Every year it gets tougher but I’m really comfortable with the squad we’ve got this time. On paper, a lot of the clubs have got very good squads as well so it’s about trying to perform week in and week out.

“I’ve got a funny feeling it’s going to be even tougher this year which is great for rugby in Wales.

“We’ve got a few boys who are back with us. Scott Roberts and Rhys Shellard were brought up on Pontypridd and they’ve come home which we are delighted about.

“We’ve got a couple of youngsters coming through and Thomas Pascoe has come in from Mountain Ash as well and Dai Flanagan has come back too so it’s looking good.”

While Pontypridd are bidding to continue their success, the likes of Swansea, now coached by former Wales hooker Mefin Davies, and Cardiff have ground to make up following a lean few seasons.

Cardiff chief Fowler is confident his club can turn the corner and his minimum expectation for his first term in charge is a top-six finish.

He said: “Being director of rugby at Cardiff is an exciting and humbling experience. It’s a club I’ve always aspired to coach and to be given the opportunity to head a very talented coaching team is an exciting prospect.

“Over the last couple of years while the partnership between Cardiff and the Blues has been bedding in we’ve probably suffered a bit more. Hopefully now the partnership will start paying dividends.

“Being a Cardiffian through and through it hurts to see them not doing so well but it’s a difficult situation because being reliant on the Blues it’s almost like coaching with your hands tied behind your back. But we’ll get there.

“Player retention and recruitment for us is based on the talent in the Blues regional pool. What we’ve got at Cardiff is a one-to-22 squad which will be bolstered by the movement from the Blues.

“A minimum expectation is to be in the top six. It’s a club that’s synonymous with excellence in terms of performance and winning trophies over the years.”

My weekend Premiership predictions (week one);

Aberavon v Newport

The Wizards had an excellent season last time out while Newport have recruited heavily with several new faces arriving from Pontypool among others. The hosts should hit the ground running with a win but it will be close.

Verdict – Aberavon by five points

Bedwas v Carmarthen Quins

Bedwas could well be the league’s dark horses this season and they’ll enjoy getting their fixtures under way on home turf against a side which threatened to break into the top three at times last term.

Verdict – Quins by six points

Bridgend v Llanelli

One thing you can almost guarantee in the Premiership is that Llanelli will be there or thereabouts come May. Their link with the Scarlets is always worth a couple of wins a season but Bridgend, under Ben Rose, won’t roll over for anyone.

Verdict – Llanelli by nine points

Cardiff v Llandovery

The Drovers, like Aberavon, had some big victories in 2011/12 and might well have been involved in the fight for silverware had they not tailed off towards the end. Cardiff are due a good one after ninth place last time around saw Martyn Fowler take over the managerial hot seat.

Verdict – Cardiff by six points

Cross Keys v Pontypridd

The game of the day on the first weekend sees the cup holders host the league champions in a possible precursor to the grand final come next year. Keys are formidable at home while Ponty have a good mix of youth and experience to call on.

Verdict – Pontypridd by two points

Neath v Swansea

These two old and fierce rivals won’t be able to ease gently into their league campaigns with a big derby clash scheduled for match day one. Swansea’s players will also want to impress new coach Mefin Davies but Neath lost just three times at The Gnoll last season and should have too much firepower for the visitors.

Verdict – Neath by nine points

By David Williams