Newport Seeking Revenge Against Llandovery as Super Rygbi Cymru Kicks Off

In the fifth part of our Super Rygbi Cymru season preview, Newport captain Ben Roach tells Carl Field that his side is out for payback against Llandovery.

The champions of last year’s inaugural SRC, Newport, open their title defence with a blockbuster clash at home to the Drovers—winners of the final Welsh Premiership crown two years ago. It’s a heavyweight encounter to kick-start the campaign, and it also serves as S4C’s first televised match of the new season.

The Black and Ambers lifted the SRC trophy in May after beating Gwent rivals Ebbw Vale 27-18 at Eugene Cross Park, a fitting finale to their 150th anniversary season. That triumph was especially sweet after the bitter disappointment of losing to Llandovery in the Premiership Final a year earlier.

Now, Ty Morris’s men want to make a statement. Victory over perennial contenders Llandovery would not only extend Newport’s seven-game winning streak—including last season’s play-offs—but also show they mean business once again. History, though, favours the visitors: the Drovers have won the last three meetings between the sides, including the Premiership Final and both league encounters last term.

“We do kind of owe them one!” admitted Newport No. 8 Roach, who has been a driving force since arriving in 2021 and is preparing for his third season as captain.
“Having lost to them twice last year, we want to get that one up—and just to start our season on a good footing. They’re the cup winners from last season, we’re the trophy winners; two top teams going head-to-head in the opener on a Friday night at Newport Stadium—you can’t really ask for much more.”

Roach reflected on how last year’s glory was built on hard lessons.
“Losing against Llandovery was very bitter and hard to take,” he said.
“But we turned that pain into motivation. To come back, finish the season so strongly, and actually win the title was incredible. It was a mix of hard work, determination, and a lot of emotion—especially after the passing of our president, Brian ‘BJ’ Jones. That gave us real fire to finish the season the right way, and to cap it off in our 150th year was amazing.”

Meanwhile, Llandovery arrives with their own unfinished business. Back-to-back Premiership winners in 2023 and 2024, Euros Evans’ side missed out on the SRC crown after a crushing 29-28 semi-final defeat to Ebbw Vale. The Drovers led 21-5 at half-time before collapsing in a stunning turnaround that left them stunned.

“It was one of those that got away,” admitted skipper Lee Rees, who crossed for a try in that match.
“Credit to Ebbw, they went back to their strengths in the second half and deserved it. But with the lead we had, we really blew it—it was tough to take.”

Rees, a talismanic scrum-half and loyal servant of over 16 years, leads Llandovery into a new campaign at the age of 34, having taken the armband last year when Jack Jones was forced into retirement.

“I’m really looking forward to the season,” he said. “The first year of SRC was a big success, and hopefully this year builds on that. I always enjoy playing Newport—they play a similar brand of rugby to us, fast and open, so it’s always a good game. The pitch at Newport is excellent too, so if the weather plays ball, it should be a cracking contest.”

Last season, Llandovery endured a rocky start, losing three of its first four matches. But their 30-28 win at Newport Stadium in October sparked a nine-game winning run—12 straight if you include the cup—culminating in them lifting the inaugural SRC Cup with a 39-7 thrashing of Ebbw Vale.