Posted by In comparison to the successes of recent years it may appear nonsensical to suggest that 2023/24 was Cardiff RFC’s most incredible season, but for those in the inside it would probably be a statement that rings somewhat true.
Since the 2018/19 campaign it’s been consecutive seasons of on-field successes for the Rags; a Welsh Cup triumph in 2019, Welsh Premiership title in 2022, and another Welsh Cup in 2023 as well as topping the Premiership table that year. Add in what could well have been a League & Cup double in 2020, and the honours board is a stacked one.
2023/24 presented major off-field challenges though, as the impact of Welsh rugby’s financial struggles and financial struggles unique to the Blue & Blacks hit the Rags hard. Speaking to Sportin Wales last week, Director of Coaching Gruff Rees noted that during pre-season “I was uncertain at some points whether we would get a squad together.”
In the end Cardiff have run with a semi-professional core squad of around 25 players, putting a strain on that group as 12 have played in more than 20 of the 27 competitive games this season. Then around them there has been a lot of rotation as Rees, along with Steve Law, have had to cast the net over the lower leagues and University teams for permit players.
All-in-all there have been 68 players appear for the Rags this season, with 10 first team players joining six Academy players and two members of this season’s U18 squad, as well as 25 players either dual registered with local clubs or on permit.
That level of disruption to the squad has clearly had an impact, with Cardiff struggling to nail down a long run of form during the first half of the season. There was not a stretch of three unbeaten games prior to January, and even then a strong three wins was followed up by three losses across February and early March, leaving a run for the play-offs a tough ask.
However, with huge credit to the coaches and players, a run of five consecutive wins across the final five games of the Premiership season, four of those coming with a try bonus point, secured the Rags what was an unlikely fourth place in that table just a few months earlier.
Unfortunately there would not be a fairytale ending for the departing Steve Law, nor club stalwarts Joey Tomlinson and James Beal who are among the players leaving the Arms Park over this summer, but a brave and battling performance away at the all-conquering defending champions Llandovery displayed everything good about this season’s squad.
A strong set piece, a well organised and physical defence, some clever kicking, flashes of quality in attack and a never-say-die attitude that has been driven by the coaching staff and core playing group, and instilled in any player that has pulled on the famous blue and black jersey.
So there wasn’t a trophy at the end of it, but in the circumstances it has still been a high achieving season for Cardiff RFC, and importantly one that sets up the side for an exciting new era.
With the Elite Development Competition beginning in 2024/25 the Rags will benefit from a refreshed coaching ticket, comprising promoted familiar faces and new names keen to progress, as well as a core squad that is still young but has experience under it’s belt and has stayed together during tough periods over the last 12 months.
They will be boosted by a revived senior Academy programme including bright talents from this season’s U18 side, as well as new signings returning to the Arms Park from over the Severn Bridge, coming into the set up from BUCS Super Rugby or identified through the Welsh Exiles programme.
It may not have been the ultra-competitive trophy winning campaigns of years gone by, but if this is a lower point in terms of finishing position for Cardiff RFC, then the future is looking very bright indeed.
Uppa Rags!
Cardiff Rugby Life 