by Nathan Parker
Date: Wednesday 14th February 2018
Venue: Sardis Road. KO: 17:30
UNIVERSITY of South Wales Men’s 1st will hope to make it four wins on the bounce as they take on the University of West of England’s Men’s 1st at Sardis Road.
Having seen off second from bottom side Bath last week, 43-31, USW will now seek another bonus point victory against one of this season’s strugglers.
Last week’s high scoring match in Pontypridd gave USW coach Ben Daniels a chance to try out new combinations with players on the injury list, including star scrum half Jamie Hill.
The strength in depth within the squad though was evident, with players such as Corey Sheppherd, Adam Powell and Joe Popple filling in and providing the team with experience gained in the Principality Premiership this season.
The University of West of England’s fortunes have been quite different to that of USW and they will be looking for their first victory of the season.
After a thumping 52-0 loss to leaders Hartpury, UWE put in a much more spirited performance at home against Exeter, though narrowly losing 22-12.
Although the English outfit are guaranteed to be bottom of the pile at the end of the season, they will still be looking to avenge their 17-7 loss to USW in the reverse fixture.
Nevertheless, the home side will be strong favourites to win at the ‘House of Pain’ but will need results to go their way if they are to finish top of the table. Ten points from the next two matches against UWE and second-placed Cardiff will be crucial to USW’s chances of winning the league.
The home side will also need a little help from neighbours Swansea, who need to beat Hartpury and Bristol if Ben Daniels’ men are to have any chance of reaching the summit.
All will be revealed over the next two weeks as this superb season of rugby comes to an end with USW hoping to finish a fantastic season on a high.
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