17-05-2025
Franchi and Roach eye SRC final glory with Ebbw and Newport
Ebbw Vale and Newport battle for the title at Eugene Cross Park tomorrow (kick-off 2.30pm) and it's fair to assume the skippers will have a big say in which Gwent club will be celebrating long into the night.
Hooker Franchi has already won the big prize once after being a member of the 2016 Premiership-winning squad and has been a major figure in the Steelmen's successful campaign.
The front rower will finish as the league's top try scorer after crossing 20 times in the league (plus five more times in the SRC Cup).
The 31-year-old made his first Ebbw outing as an 18-year-old and hit 200 appearances for the club in March.
His experience was important when the Steelmen went 21-5 down on the stroke of half-time in their home semi-final against Llandovery.
KEEPING COOL: Ebbw's Joe Franchi during the win against Llandovery (Image: Ian WIlliams/Huw Evans Agency)
'We were behind the posts and I said to the boys that we were comfy in phase play,' said Franchi, a key figure along with his twin, centre Dom.
'We weren't concerned because it wasn't like we were leaking badly. We knew that we could stick in there, get our set piece going and cause them problems, which happened.'
Ebbw, who ran out 29-28 winners, have built that confidence thanks to a perfect season so far on home soil.
That 13-game record helped them to finish second in the league with the prospect of a home final if top seeds Cardiff were beaten by Newport.
A few of the Ebbw squad went to the Arms Park to watch and provide updates for their teammates, ultimately delivering the news that they would be playing for the title at Eugene Cross Park.
'The big games come down to small margins,' said Franchi. 'Playing at home can make a massive difference because the one per centers add up.
'We really pushed to finish in the top two from the start of the season and we achieved that, which has earned us this chance.
'The excitement has been building as the week has progressed but we can't afford to play the occasion.
'We want to stick to our regular game plan and keep to the same processes, because that has worked all season with us being unbeaten at home.
'We know that this will be an 80-minute game because Newport are a good side who can play tight, 10-man rugby or spin it wide. I am sure they will have some trick plays and we need to be ready for anything.'
One thing is for certain, Roach will be in the thick of it for the Black and Ambers after a second season on the spin as an ever-present.
The number eight has played in 25 games – all starts apart from one outing off the bench at Swansea in the SRC Cup – and also featured in friendly fixtures to celebrate the club's 150th anniversary season.
The Wales Sevens international is crucial to Newport's adaptability, able to mix it physically but also thrive out wide, and hopes to avoid a repeat of last year's narrow defeat at Llandovery when the last Premiership title was on the line.
WINNER: Ben Roach after Newport's semi-final win against Ebbw Vale last season (Image: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agency)
'To get to back-to-back finals is quite special but obviously we want to go one step further and win it,' said Roach.
'The experience from big games helps with the pressure but Ebbw Vale also been there with the cup final this season.
'We've prepped well and are on the back of a few good weeks, so we head there with momentum for one last big game.
'This is what you play the game for, you want to be fighting at the top and now we want to get over the line.
'It's the 150th anniversary and it would be nice to top that off with another bit of history by winning the first SRC while we also had the loss of 'BJ' [the legendary 'Mr Newport' Brian Jones], so there is a lot of emotion.'
Whichever inspirational captain gets to lift the trophy will deserve the honour.
