Newcastle Emlyn begin their season in the Championship this afternoon with an opening fixture against Cardiff Met and the Ddol Wiber faithful will be hoping for a winning start against the students.
The red and whites enjoyed two very entertaining games against the Met last term as both teams played an expansive style of rugby although coach Marc Lloyd will be more focussed on getting off to a winning start today on a greasy surface.
New stand off Setaro a former Llandovery and Swansea fly half is an exciting young talent and he has all the natural skills needed to spark off this promising Emlyn backline.
Back rower Owain Powell leads a red and whites team that includes three new debutants in Setaro, hooker Tom Curry and former Crymych centre Carwyn Phillips and there is a healthy all round balance in this Emlyn team with a solid front row in props Emrys Davies and Gethin Davies, reliable ball winners in seconds rows Ryan Morgans and Dylan Davies and powerful runners in Brynmor Jones and number eight Luke Kendall.
Dafydd Evans starts at inside half having taken over in the hot seat following the departure of Mike Jones to Swansea and reliable centre Alun Howells will form a midfield partnership with hard tackling centre Phillips with Llyr Jones and Llyr Davies on the wings. Shaun Leonard will take up his customary slot as the last line of defence and the all action full back is sure to play a prominent role with both the boot and the ball in hand.
The Met will be led for the first time by hooker Ryan Roach and the Cyncoed outfit have six players making their debut. Ben Williams and Alex Seers are a talented pair of half backs and have two powerful centres in Rob Smith and Miles Moorhouse and this promises to be an entertaining game.
Kick off 2.30
The Emlyn Dreigiau which is a team made up of players outside the first team squad and formerly the second team will play Llandybie of division 3C West as part of a new WRU pilot scheme.
Newcastle Emlyn RFC Shirt sponsors for season 2016-17.
Cerbydau Cenarth
JDS Machinery
Moduron John Jones
Highway Garage
Melingoed Ltd.
Peirianwaeth GM Engineering
Trefhedyn Garden Centre
Gwasg Gomer
