James steps up as Cardiff take on the Black & Ambers
Premiership semi-finals
PREVIEW…
Today. Kick-off 5.30pm, Arms Park
Today. Kick-off 2.30pm, Church Bank
WALES U20 cap Harrison James will get his big chance to shine when he fills the Cardiff No.10 jersey in the Premiership play-off semi-final against Newport at the Arms Park this evening.
Rising star James, who will be hoping to book his ticket to the World Junior Championships in South Africa later this summer, has been handed a start after Dan Fish learned during the week he has broken a bone in his wrist.
It won't just be the 32-year-old Fish who misses the big clash between the two ancient rivals. Newport outside half Matt O'Brien is also going to miss the game because of a family holiday.
With the season twice extended due to the poor weather during the winter, the Black & Ambers skipper wasn't able to re-arrange his trip to Dubai a second time.
“It was a very difficult decision to make, but I couldn't just cancel the holiday. We'd already moved it once and we have to fit in with the time I get off in the close season at the Dragons and my wife's job,” explained O'Brien.
“There was simply no time left to take the holiday. It's going to be difficult not being there, but I still think we've got enough in us to win in Cardiff.”
Matt Bancroft is now set to line-up against James in the No.10 shootout as Newport attempt to gain revenge for their 13-10 WRU Premiership Cup final defeat to Cardiff at Principality Stadium three weeks ago.
Llandovery will host Merthyr in the other semi-final at Church Bank – the venue at which the Ironmen won 26-12 in the regular season.
Llandovery had won 36- 12 in Merthyr earlier in the campaign.
“There isn't much between all four teams and it is going to be hard to pick a winner in either game,” said Llandovery head coach Euros Evans.
