Pool out to kickstart league campaign

Following last week’s WRU Bowl win against Bangor, it’s back to league action for Welshpool this Saturday as they seek their first points of the rugby season with a tough home fixture against unbeaten Rhyl, writes Gary Williams.

Games between these two clubs are traditionally close and it is expected that this weekend’s clash will be the same. Despite being without the influential pairing of Ryan Goodwin and Joe Stranks, coach Dave Roberts is confident that there is enough class in his squad to get that all-important first league win of the season.

Newtown host Bangor and will also be looking to get their first league win of the season against a Bangor side, languishing at the foot of the table, who won’t be relishing another trip to Mid Wales.

Llanidloes travel to Mold and can expect a severe test against a side who have been playing some free-flowing rugby in their opening two league games and who are joint top in the Division.

In Division One North, COBRA face a tricky away game at Bro Ffestiniog, one of the teams that they need to take points off. Both sides will realise, even at this early stage of the season, what an important game this is, and a tense affair is expected with very little to choose between the two.

WRU North Wales Division One

Bro Ffestiniog v COBRA

WRU North Wales Division Two

Welshpool v Rhyl

Newtown v Bangor

Mold v Llanidloes