Cardiff begin their pre-season campaign with a trip to Worcester on Saturday, September 5, with kick-off at 3pm at Sixways Stadium. The match will be streamed live for a £4.99 fee on www.clubbertv.co.uk.
Cardiff's 150th anniversary season
After reaching the URC play-offs for the first time last year, Cardiff will be looking to mark a special anniversary season by hitting new heights. In their 150th year, the club will look to kick on in head coach Corniel van Zyl's first full campaign in charge, having been placed in control of the side on an interim basis on the eve of last season.
The Blue and Blacks have made steady progress in recent seasons, but will have the Champions Cup to contend with as they bid to reach the top eight again. They begin pre-season with a trip to Worcester on Saturday, before taking on Exeter later this month at the Arms Park.
Team news and squad
Cardiff Rugby have named a 29-man squad for their opening pre-season match, with Daf Hughes captaining the side. Tom Manz, on loan from Leicester, and new centre Le Roux Malan, are in line for their debuts. Fellow new signing Scott Sio is named among the replacements, while academy talents Sonny McCabe, Lloyd Lucas, Tom Howe, Sion Davies and Rhys Cummings are also set to step up.
Cardiff: Cam Winnett; Jacob Beetham, Harri Millard, Le Roux Malan, Elijah Evans, Callum Sheedy, Ellis Bevan; Danny Southworth, Daf Hughes (capt), Joe Cowell, Tom Manz, Rory Thornton, Lucas de la Rua, Dan Thomas, Taine Basham.
Replacements: Liam Belcher, Scott Sio, Sonny McCabe, Tom Cottle, Johan Mulder, Lloyd Lucas, Matty Young, Osian Darwin-Lewis, Rhys Barratt, Tom Howe, Sion Davies, Rhys Cummings.
Van Zyl's pre-season focus
Cardiff head coach Corniel van Zyl said: “We’re in week eight of pre-season now so it’s nice to look forward to a game. The boys have put in some hard work and are itching to play so it will be a good run out in Worcester. They are a quality team, they obviously won the English Championship last season and they will go strong at home.
“But for us, we focus on ourselves and this is a brilliant opportunity to test ourselves against a quality team. We can put into practice what we have been working on, test some new combinations and get some boys back on the pitch or to have their first taste of action in Blue and Black.
“Over the past three years we have been growing to be better as a team, as individuals and collectively as a club. That’s the focus again this year as we definitely aren’t the cream of the crop. The mission is to get better.
“Consistency of performance is a key one. Last year we were very good at the Arms Park so we would love to replicate that and get better away from home. Going to Sixways this weekend will be a great opportunity and experience as we prepare for a special season.”
