Cardiff Blues host international side, Uruguay, in a special challenge match tonight at Cardiff Arms Park.
Matches like this don’t come around often. The chance for a club to take on an international side is a real rarity these days, so tonight’s match is one not-to-be missed.
Many years ago, international sides, such as New Zealand, South Africa and Australia, would spend several months touring Europe and would play club sides in between their international matches. However, with congested fixture lists and risk of injuries, these matches are few and far between.
History
Cardiff Rugby has a magnificent history against international teams. They beat Australia on FIVE consecutive occasions between 1908 and 1989 – an unbeaten record which was only ended when Cardiff Blues lost to the Wallabies in 2009.
But even going unbeaten again Australia isn’t the most impressive scalp on their honours list.
On 21 November 1953, Cardiff RFC beat the touring New Zealand side 8-3 in the club’s most famous victory.
That New Zeland touring squad won all but four games, losing only to Cardiff, Wales, France and South West France
Tradition
Both touring sides and their hosts would offer a gift at the start of each match as a way of welcoming and building bridges across the rugby community.
Normal gifts included items such as pennants, flags and tankards, but others went above and beyond to offer some incredible items…
Team News
So tonight, Cardiff will look to add to their illustrious history with another victory against an international side – if they do so, it would be their first since 1995.
Dan Fish will make his 100th appearance for Cardiff Blues and will captain the side on this special occasion. The popular 27-year-old made his debut in 2010 and becomes a Centurian despite a number of injuries in recent years.
He is joined in a hugely exciting line up, alongside Matthew Morgan at full back, and Aled Summerhill on the wing.
While some of the names on the team sheet will be new to supporters, there’s no doubting the quality of the front row. Rhys Carre, Liam Belcher and Keiron Assiratti have all been earmarked s future stars and will use tonight’s showpiece to establish themselves in John Mulvihill’s squad.
Matthew Morgan; Aled Summerhill, Harri Millard, Max Llewellyn, Cam Lewis; Dan Fish (capt), Lewis Jones; Rhys Carre, Liam Belcher, Keiron Assiratti, James Down, Rory Thornton, Shane Lewis-Hughes, Sion Bennett, Alun Lawrence.
Replacements: Ethan Lewis, Rhys Gill, Will Davies-King, Miles Normandale, Ioan Rhys Davies, Jamie Hill, Ben Thomas, Ioan Davies, Peter Lloyd.
Tickets for this evening’s match start from £6 for under 16s and £12 for adults and are available to buy on the gate at Cardiff Arms Park.
