The first cup competition in Welsh rugby – the South Wales Challenge Cup – was launched at a meeting held at the Cardiff Arms Hotel in October 1870. The cup was valued at 50 guineas and the competition open to any club subscribing two guineas entrance fee. Smith and Williams, in their centenary history of the Welsh Rugby Union, stated that ‘For the next ten years (the cup) was keenly, sometimes literally fought for…’. After numerous controversies on and off the field, and following declining interest from the clubs, the last final was played in 1887. Cardiff won the cup in season 1880/81, defeating Llanelli in a match played at the Gnoll.
A second Welsh Cup competition was introduced in 1972, with Neath defeating Llanelli in the final. Though Cardiff reached the final in both 1973 and 1977 (during our centenary year), it did not claim the Trophy until 1981, when it beat its bogey side Bridgend 14-6.
Five more triumphs were to follow in the 1980s, including a nail-biting 16-15 victory over Swansea after extra-time in 1987; they were also runners up in 1985, losing to Llanelli 15-14. Two more cup triumphs followed in the 1990s, with wins over Llanelli (15-8) in 1994 and Swansea (33-26) in 1997. The Swansea game was the last ever match to be played on the old National Stadium prior to its demolition ahead of the building of the Millennium Stadium.
Cardiff RFC have won the cup twice in the modern era, beating Merthyr 25-19 in 2019 and Newport 13-10 in 2022. They were also runners up to Llandovery in 2007.
A second Welsh Cup competition was introduced in 1972, with Neath defeating Llanelli in the final. Though Cardiff reached the final in both 1973 and 1977 (during our centenary year), it did not claim the Trophy until 1981, when it beat its bogey side Bridgend 14-6.
Five more triumphs were to follow in the 1980s, including a nail-biting 16-15 victory over Swansea after extra-time in 1987; they were also runners up in 1985, losing to Llanelli 15-14. Two more cup triumphs followed in the 1990s, with wins over Llanelli (15-8) in 1994 and Swansea (33-26) in 1997. The Swansea game was the last ever match to be played on the old National Stadium prior to its demolition ahead of the building of the Millennium Stadium.
Cardiff RFC have won the cup twice in the modern era, beating Merthyr 25-19 in 2019 and Newport 13-10 in 2022. They were also runners up to Llandovery in 2007.