Welsh champions Aberavon Fighting Irish travel to Northern Ireland this Sunday to face Bambridge Broncos in the first round of the Betfred Challenge Cup (kick-off 2pm).
Aberavon beat South Wales Jets in last year’s Welsh Grand Final to qualify, and they know that a win over the Irish Sea will see them travel to Championship side Midlands Hurricanes in the second round in a fortnight’s time.
Head coach Dean Scully said: “As a club, we are all looking forward to having a second chance of qualifying for round two of the Challenge Cup.
“There was a realisation after losing in round one last time around of how big this cup competition is. I think of it as rugby’s FA Cup.
“If we can get that initial win, we’ll be one of the few Welsh community sides to get through to the second round of the Cup. That can create opportunities and exposure for the players themselves by facing a club like Midlands Hurricanes and impressing. We won’t get ahead of ourselves, but it’s always good to have those kind of aspirations to try and bring the best out of the squad.
“Preparations have been hampered slightly by injuries and availability, but we go into this year’s competition a stronger outfit than we did last year, and it’s a credit to staff working behind the scenes and the application of the players themselves that we have improved as a whole over the last two years. This year’s game is proving to be a logistical nightmare after the ease of last year’s home tie, but the lads are eager and chomping at the bit to play.”
Aberavon travelling Squad: Alan Pope, Ben Jackson, Conor O’Callaghan, Daniel Wilds, Dylan Mclachlan, Iestyn Williams-Jones, Ieuan Allen, Isaac Morgan, Jack Davies, Lewis Francis, Lloyd Allen, Mike Burgess, Morgan Hines, Owen Evans, Owen Thomas, Rhodri Roberts, Owain Rhys Curtis, Rhys Evans, Sean Waldeck, Tyler Hopkins.
