Cardiff Rugby Life
@cardiffrugbylife.bsky.social
Blogging and Podcasting on all things Cardiff Rugby. Found on the South Terrace. Blaine Scully fan club. Mainly called Dan.
9 changes to the XV, 10 changes to the 23 for Ulster after they beat Racing comfortably last week.
December 12, 2025 at 3:01 PM
9 changes to the XV, 10 changes to the 23 for Ulster after they beat Racing comfortably last week.
18th January 2014 was when we last saw Leigh Halfpenny in a Cardiff jersey.
He’s the only player of the team that faced Exeter in the Heineken Cup that day still playing at the top level.
Cardiff, Toulon, Llanelli, Christchurch, London and Cardiff again.
He’s back!
He’s the only player of the team that faced Exeter in the Heineken Cup that day still playing at the top level.
Cardiff, Toulon, Llanelli, Christchurch, London and Cardiff again.
He’s back!
December 12, 2025 at 12:31 PM
18th January 2014 was when we last saw Leigh Halfpenny in a Cardiff jersey.
He’s the only player of the team that faced Exeter in the Heineken Cup that day still playing at the top level.
Cardiff, Toulon, Llanelli, Christchurch, London and Cardiff again.
He’s back!
He’s the only player of the team that faced Exeter in the Heineken Cup that day still playing at the top level.
Cardiff, Toulon, Llanelli, Christchurch, London and Cardiff again.
He’s back!
Here's the Cardiff side to face Ulster;
- 100 up for Azza, Seven Storey Rory and Benny T
- Hughes, Nott & Thomas into the pack
- Davies, Sheedy & Hurricane Harri return
- Adams & Bowen back on the wings
- Southworth, Mann, Beetham & Winnett on the bench
Strong side!
- 100 up for Azza, Seven Storey Rory and Benny T
- Hughes, Nott & Thomas into the pack
- Davies, Sheedy & Hurricane Harri return
- Adams & Bowen back on the wings
- Southworth, Mann, Beetham & Winnett on the bench
Strong side!
December 12, 2025 at 12:13 PM
Here's the Cardiff side to face Ulster;
- 100 up for Azza, Seven Storey Rory and Benny T
- Hughes, Nott & Thomas into the pack
- Davies, Sheedy & Hurricane Harri return
- Adams & Bowen back on the wings
- Southworth, Mann, Beetham & Winnett on the bench
Strong side!
- 100 up for Azza, Seven Storey Rory and Benny T
- Hughes, Nott & Thomas into the pack
- Davies, Sheedy & Hurricane Harri return
- Adams & Bowen back on the wings
- Southworth, Mann, Beetham & Winnett on the bench
Strong side!
Here's the Rags side to face Carmarthen tonight;
- Emanuel, WDK, Davies, Wilde, Evans & Young back from the 1s
- Parry, Phillips & Moore into the pack
- Bowen & Morgan on to the bench
Win needed! #BlueAndBlacks
- Emanuel, WDK, Davies, Wilde, Evans & Young back from the 1s
- Parry, Phillips & Moore into the pack
- Bowen & Morgan on to the bench
Win needed! #BlueAndBlacks
December 11, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Here's the Rags side to face Carmarthen tonight;
- Emanuel, WDK, Davies, Wilde, Evans & Young back from the 1s
- Parry, Phillips & Moore into the pack
- Bowen & Morgan on to the bench
Win needed! #BlueAndBlacks
- Emanuel, WDK, Davies, Wilde, Evans & Young back from the 1s
- Parry, Phillips & Moore into the pack
- Bowen & Morgan on to the bench
Win needed! #BlueAndBlacks
BOOMFAAAAAAAA
December 8, 2025 at 1:10 PM
BOOMFAAAAAAAA
Thought that was probably the best performance of Evan Lloyd's career to-date.
11 carries, 14 tackles, 2 turnovers and a solid lineout showing.
Seriously dynamic and high skill level, chance to show what he can do in big games now with Liam Belcher injured.
11 carries, 14 tackles, 2 turnovers and a solid lineout showing.
Seriously dynamic and high skill level, chance to show what he can do in big games now with Liam Belcher injured.
December 7, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Thought that was probably the best performance of Evan Lloyd's career to-date.
11 carries, 14 tackles, 2 turnovers and a solid lineout showing.
Seriously dynamic and high skill level, chance to show what he can do in big games now with Liam Belcher injured.
11 carries, 14 tackles, 2 turnovers and a solid lineout showing.
Seriously dynamic and high skill level, chance to show what he can do in big games now with Liam Belcher injured.
Without question the headline here is Matty Young's brilliant fend and ball out of contact on debut, but also a word for Harri Wilde's pass and Iwan Stephens getting on the scoresheet in his first game for over a year.
Super pleasing try all round.
Super pleasing try all round.
December 7, 2025 at 12:36 PM
Without question the headline here is Matty Young's brilliant fend and ball out of contact on debut, but also a word for Harri Wilde's pass and Iwan Stephens getting on the scoresheet in his first game for over a year.
Super pleasing try all round.
Super pleasing try all round.
Plenty of good individual showings yesterday, but James Botham was head and shoulders clear for me as Cardiff SyG.
12 carries, 19 tackles, 3 turnovers, and this absolutely brilliant solo try saver.
Great to have him back fit and firing.
12 carries, 19 tackles, 3 turnovers, and this absolutely brilliant solo try saver.
Great to have him back fit and firing.
December 7, 2025 at 10:15 AM
Plenty of good individual showings yesterday, but James Botham was head and shoulders clear for me as Cardiff SyG.
12 carries, 19 tackles, 3 turnovers, and this absolutely brilliant solo try saver.
Great to have him back fit and firing.
12 carries, 19 tackles, 3 turnovers, and this absolutely brilliant solo try saver.
Great to have him back fit and firing.
Here’s the Rags side to face RGC today;
- Cottle & Fry into the pack
- Full debut for Crimp
- Williams, Goodchild & Cummings back in the backs
- CDP & Moore on to the bench
- Davies (Cardiff Met) called up
Missing a few but hoping for a return to winning ways #BlueAndBlacks
- Cottle & Fry into the pack
- Full debut for Crimp
- Williams, Goodchild & Cummings back in the backs
- CDP & Moore on to the bench
- Davies (Cardiff Met) called up
Missing a few but hoping for a return to winning ways #BlueAndBlacks
December 6, 2025 at 7:58 AM
Here’s the Rags side to face RGC today;
- Cottle & Fry into the pack
- Full debut for Crimp
- Williams, Goodchild & Cummings back in the backs
- CDP & Moore on to the bench
- Davies (Cardiff Met) called up
Missing a few but hoping for a return to winning ways #BlueAndBlacks
- Cottle & Fry into the pack
- Full debut for Crimp
- Williams, Goodchild & Cummings back in the backs
- CDP & Moore on to the bench
- Davies (Cardiff Met) called up
Missing a few but hoping for a return to winning ways #BlueAndBlacks
Here's the Cardiff side to face Stade Francais;
- Lloyd back from Cymru duty
- Wainwright, Thornton, Botham & Basham into the pack
- Bevan in at 9
- Full debuts for Smith & Young
- Stephens back fit
- 50 up for Grady
- Possible debuts for Davies & Evans
- Lloyd back from Cymru duty
- Wainwright, Thornton, Botham & Basham into the pack
- Bevan in at 9
- Full debuts for Smith & Young
- Stephens back fit
- 50 up for Grady
- Possible debuts for Davies & Evans
December 5, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Here's the Cardiff side to face Stade Francais;
- Lloyd back from Cymru duty
- Wainwright, Thornton, Botham & Basham into the pack
- Bevan in at 9
- Full debuts for Smith & Young
- Stephens back fit
- 50 up for Grady
- Possible debuts for Davies & Evans
- Lloyd back from Cymru duty
- Wainwright, Thornton, Botham & Basham into the pack
- Bevan in at 9
- Full debuts for Smith & Young
- Stephens back fit
- 50 up for Grady
- Possible debuts for Davies & Evans
Don't think anyone expected the likes of Assiratti or Mann back, and there's always a mental toll to being in a Wales camp even if not playing, but feels like a risk to have some players having little or no minutes for seven weeks going into Ulster next Saturday.
December 4, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Don't think anyone expected the likes of Assiratti or Mann back, and there's always a mental toll to being in a Wales camp even if not playing, but feels like a risk to have some players having little or no minutes for seven weeks going into Ulster next Saturday.
December 3, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Some good luck for Cymru at last, not only getting winnable games against sides in pots 3 & 4, but also in Pool F with a favourable Round of 16 draw against other pool runners-up.
Something to aim for!
Something to aim for!
December 3, 2025 at 11:42 AM
Some good luck for Cymru at last, not only getting winnable games against sides in pots 3 & 4, but also in Pool F with a favourable Round of 16 draw against other pool runners-up.
Something to aim for!
Something to aim for!
Cardiff Rugby lit up on the Cardiff Central Station illuminations 🔵⚫️
December 2, 2025 at 10:15 PM
Cardiff Rugby lit up on the Cardiff Central Station illuminations 🔵⚫️
A hat-trick for Dafydd Hughes at the back of a dominant maul, but an all-round excellent performance from the hooker.
12 tackles, 11 carries, 94% lineout. Stepped up in a huge way.
12 tackles, 11 carries, 94% lineout. Stepped up in a huge way.
December 2, 2025 at 8:59 PM
A hat-trick for Dafydd Hughes at the back of a dominant maul, but an all-round excellent performance from the hooker.
12 tackles, 11 carries, 94% lineout. Stepped up in a huge way.
12 tackles, 11 carries, 94% lineout. Stepped up in a huge way.
Cam Winnett looked in great nick after a few weeks off with a groin issue.
Absolutely textbook high ball work as Cardiff largely dominated the skies in Parma.
Absolutely textbook high ball work as Cardiff largely dominated the skies in Parma.
December 2, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Cam Winnett looked in great nick after a few weeks off with a groin issue.
Absolutely textbook high ball work as Cardiff largely dominated the skies in Parma.
Absolutely textbook high ball work as Cardiff largely dominated the skies in Parma.
Great to see James Botham back in action.
Hopefully can stay fit for a big fixture block at Cardiff and be back in Cymru contention for the Six Nations.
Hopefully can stay fit for a big fixture block at Cardiff and be back in Cymru contention for the Six Nations.
December 2, 2025 at 11:36 AM
Great to see James Botham back in action.
Hopefully can stay fit for a big fixture block at Cardiff and be back in Cymru contention for the Six Nations.
Hopefully can stay fit for a big fixture block at Cardiff and be back in Cymru contention for the Six Nations.
James Davies-Yandle when purchasing a majority stake in the Ospreys. ⬇️⬇️
If he can throw a club that he feels that way about under the bus, what could he do to Cardiff?
He is not welcome at the Arms Park, Y11 are not welcome as owners.
If he can throw a club that he feels that way about under the bus, what could he do to Cardiff?
He is not welcome at the Arms Park, Y11 are not welcome as owners.
December 1, 2025 at 12:58 PM
James Davies-Yandle when purchasing a majority stake in the Ospreys. ⬇️⬇️
If he can throw a club that he feels that way about under the bus, what could he do to Cardiff?
He is not welcome at the Arms Park, Y11 are not welcome as owners.
If he can throw a club that he feels that way about under the bus, what could he do to Cardiff?
He is not welcome at the Arms Park, Y11 are not welcome as owners.
Here's the Rags side to face Swansea tonight;
- Murphy in up front
- C. Hudd makes his first start as captain
- Ward at 8
- ODL returns at 12
- Full debut for The Rhondda Rocket
- Young back at 15
- Brooke, Phillips & Fry on to the bench
Big response needed #BlueAndBlacks
- Murphy in up front
- C. Hudd makes his first start as captain
- Ward at 8
- ODL returns at 12
- Full debut for The Rhondda Rocket
- Young back at 15
- Brooke, Phillips & Fry on to the bench
Big response needed #BlueAndBlacks
November 28, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Here's the Rags side to face Swansea tonight;
- Murphy in up front
- C. Hudd makes his first start as captain
- Ward at 8
- ODL returns at 12
- Full debut for The Rhondda Rocket
- Young back at 15
- Brooke, Phillips & Fry on to the bench
Big response needed #BlueAndBlacks
- Murphy in up front
- C. Hudd makes his first start as captain
- Ward at 8
- ODL returns at 12
- Full debut for The Rhondda Rocket
- Young back at 15
- Brooke, Phillips & Fry on to the bench
Big response needed #BlueAndBlacks
Here's the Cardiff side to face Zebre on Saturday;
- Barratt, Hughes, Donnell, Thomas & Big Al start in the pack
- Davies & S. Emanuel join the backs
- Winnett, Grady & Botham back fit
- Wainwright & Bevan on to the bench
- Possible debuts for Pearce, I. Emanuel, Wilde & Smit
- Barratt, Hughes, Donnell, Thomas & Big Al start in the pack
- Davies & S. Emanuel join the backs
- Winnett, Grady & Botham back fit
- Wainwright & Bevan on to the bench
- Possible debuts for Pearce, I. Emanuel, Wilde & Smit
November 28, 2025 at 4:12 PM
Here's the Cardiff side to face Zebre on Saturday;
- Barratt, Hughes, Donnell, Thomas & Big Al start in the pack
- Davies & S. Emanuel join the backs
- Winnett, Grady & Botham back fit
- Wainwright & Bevan on to the bench
- Possible debuts for Pearce, I. Emanuel, Wilde & Smit
- Barratt, Hughes, Donnell, Thomas & Big Al start in the pack
- Davies & S. Emanuel join the backs
- Winnett, Grady & Botham back fit
- Wainwright & Bevan on to the bench
- Possible debuts for Pearce, I. Emanuel, Wilde & Smit
The wild thing is that this is a fair way off the Springboks best 23 and yet they’d probably all start for Cymru.
I do think World Rugby should step in and award us a 25-point head start for a 1-7/8-15 graphic though.
I do think World Rugby should step in and award us a 25-point head start for a 1-7/8-15 graphic though.
November 27, 2025 at 11:46 AM
The wild thing is that this is a fair way off the Springboks best 23 and yet they’d probably all start for Cymru.
I do think World Rugby should step in and award us a 25-point head start for a 1-7/8-15 graphic though.
I do think World Rugby should step in and award us a 25-point head start for a 1-7/8-15 graphic though.
And then he's straight back up to get after the loose ball from the kick and carry up to the 22.
Taken a little while to get going this Autumn but Saturday was a big showing from the second row.
Taken a little while to get going this Autumn but Saturday was a big showing from the second row.
November 24, 2025 at 7:29 PM
And then he's straight back up to get after the loose ball from the kick and carry up to the 22.
Taken a little while to get going this Autumn but Saturday was a big showing from the second row.
Taken a little while to get going this Autumn but Saturday was a big showing from the second row.
Two huge pieces of play from Dafydd Jenkins to drag Cymru up the field and set up the third try of the afternoon.
Charge down and regather, great ruck clean from Alex Mann too.
Charge down and regather, great ruck clean from Alex Mann too.
November 24, 2025 at 7:29 PM
Two huge pieces of play from Dafydd Jenkins to drag Cymru up the field and set up the third try of the afternoon.
Charge down and regather, great ruck clean from Alex Mann too.
Charge down and regather, great ruck clean from Alex Mann too.