THE EXILES ARE COMING
Written by Gavin on 21st May 2021
As the first glimmer of light appears at the end of a long tunnel, Pontypridd RFC is hopeful for a resumption in the playing of rugby this summer following a year’s cessation due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
An initial pre-season friendly fixture has been pencilled in for Saturday 31st July 2021 with Ponty hosting London Welsh at Sardis Road. This would comply with current WRU guidelines for a return to rugby, which allow the playing of friendly matches under modified laws from mid-July onwards.
The Exiles currently play in the London 2 North West division of the English pyramid, battling their way up the leagues having been disbanded and re-formed in 2017. There is a long history of fixtures between the two clubs, most recently in the form of some epic encounters in the British & Irish Cup.
Ponty Director of Rugby Justin Burnell will be familiar with the proposed opponents, having served a two year stint as coach of London Welsh from 2013, taking the club from the Championship to the Premiership.
The Pontypridd v London Welsh friendly fixture on 31st July (kick-off time to be confirmed) is a provisional one pending any changes in the Covid-19 rules set by the Welsh Government and the WRU.