CARL FIELD previews
the weekend’s action as the British & Irish Cup gets going, while there is
one Principality Premiership fixture.
PRINCIPALITY
PREMIERSHIP
Cardiff v Newport
With both these sides failing to make it to the B&I Cup
group stages, the two face off in a league clash at the Arms Park.
Cardiff lost to Cross Keys on their last outing here –
having won their first two games with a bonus-point – but bounced back with
victory at Llandovery last weekend.
Newport, who have lost three from four so far, are currently
ravaged by injury and unavailability and could be in for a difficult afternoon
tomorrow.
Prediction: Cardiff by 15 points
BRITISH & IRISH
CUP
Pool 1 – Pontypridd v
London Scottish
After last year’s gut-wrenching exit to eventual winners
Leinster A at the semi-final stage, Pontypridd will have targeted this competition
as a priority.
There was only one score in it on both occasions these two
sides clashed at the same stage last season and the visitors have a score of their
own to settle, having missed out on qualification to Ponty on points difference.
Prediction: London Scottish by 3 points
Pool 2 – Aberavon v
Ulster A
Aberavon have their work cut out if they are to qualify from
their group which also includes English Championship sides Rotherham and
Yorkshire Carnegie.
Ulster reached the semi-finals of this competition in 2010 and,
although I don’t think they’ll qualify from the group, can see them heading
home with the spoils this weekend.
Prediction: Ulster A by 7 points
Pool 4 – Cross Keys v
Doncaster
Pandy Park hasn’t been a happy hunting ground so far this
season for Cross Keys – losing both Principality Premiership home games on
their own patch.
Doncaster are back in the competition after gaining
promotion back to the English Championship and have won three of their five
games so far – including two wins on the road.
Prediction: Doncaster by 7 points
Pool 5 – Jersey v
Carmarthen Quins
Jersey have had an indifferent start in the English
Championship, winning one and losing three of their first five games and are
yet to win at home – although league form tends to go out of the window in cup
competitions.
Conversely, Quins have made an excellent start to their league
season and will need to get their B&I Cup campaign off to a flyer – in a
group that also includes holders Leinster A – if they harbour any realistic hopes
of reaching the knockout stages.
Prediction: Carmarthen Quins by 3 points
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