Jerseys RFC’s 2026/27 campaign is set to start with a bang as a renowned name in Welsh club rugby visit at the start of a landmark anniversary season, Tom Innes writes.
Pontypridd RFC were formed in 1876 and will be renewing their acquaintance with the Island after a gap of 14 years since their visit for a British & Irish Cup tie, during the first season of JRFC’s time in the RFU Championship.
The match in October 2012 finished 20-20 in front of a crowd of 2,113 that included hundreds of Welsh visitors. The return leg at Sardis Road the following January fell victim to the weather before eventually being rearranged in April, with the hosts winning 48-17.
One playing survivor from the 2013 match is Ponty’s Aled Summerhill – the 18-year-old full-back made his debut that night, and scored two tries, and 13 years later – after a lengthy spell playing professionally for Cardiff Blues – he rejoined Ponty this summer. One opponent from that game, Myles Landick, was forced to hang up his boots through injury soon afterwards but is now the Island side’s Director of Rugby.
The B&I Cup encounters were not the first between the clubs, as Pontypridd made the trip for a club tour in November 1968, when the visiting party included future Wales back row Tommy David as well as lock forward Bob Penberthy, who went on to play 877 times for the ‘Valley Commandos’ over a 25-year career, and sadly died last month at the age of 82.
Ponty play in the Admiral WRU Premiership and last season finished third in the 13-team league, two points behind Beddau and seven shy of champions Merthyr.
Several players have played for both clubs over the years, including former Jersey Reds professionals Ben Burnell and Macauley Cook, while former Ponty prop Huw Owen made the move to the Island from Wales in 2021 and made the switch to amateur rugby after the demise of the professional side in 2023.
Owen will lead a side featuring many established regulars, some new faces and some returning players. Hooker Luke Stratford is back in the mix, alongside Harry Cochrane, while there will be debuts for number 8 Luke Bowles, full-back Rhys Thomas and – from the bench – Charlie Mossop.
A number of regular faces from last season are unavailable, including Aaron Penberthy, Scott van Breda, Max Ayling, Cam Keys, Jack Macfarlane and Evan Whitson, although the majority should be available by the time the league season begins. But there is nevertheless a good dose of experience, including the like of Jack Higgins, Tom Ellis, Tom Wilson, Euan Spencer, Dan Barnes and Nathan Rogers, plus exciting young prospects at the younger end of the age spectrum like John O’Sullivan, Harry Baty and Lance Armstrong.
The match kicks off at 3pm, with CoinShares Park opening the doors at 12.30pm.
After a second and final pre-season game, away at Bornemouth on Saturday August 22nd, the JRFC men will begin their league season in National Two East with back-to-back home games. The clash with London Welsh on Saturday September 5th will be a 1pm kick-off due to the visitors’ travel logistics, while the following Saturday we will take on Guernsey in a league match for the first time in 32 years (3pm k-o).
Admission to home games remains free for non-members; for non-members tickets cost £8 in advance via https://race-nation.co.uk/register/jersey-rugby-football-club or can be obtained on the gate for the same price (card payments only).
Jersey RFC squad v Pontypridd (H) – 2026/27 pre-season, CoinShares Park, Saturday August 15th, k-o 3pm
Starting backs (15-9)
Rhys Thomas; Lance Armstrong, Dylan Stocks, Dan Barnes, Bevan Biggs; Mark Boarer, Harry Cochrane.
Starting forwards (1-8)
Huw Owen (capt), Luke Stratford, Jack Higgins, Euan Spencer, Toby Osborne, Tom Ellis, Tom Tilstone, Luke Bowles.
Replacements (16-24)
Joe Ridgway, Jake Bates, Tom Wilson, Nathan Thomas, James Guyatt, Harry Baty, John O’Sullivan, Nathan Rogers, Charlie Mossop.
Picture credit: Alastair Cornish
