We visited the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on Sunday, 12 April 2026, to photograph the Welsh Rugby Union Road to the Principality Premiership Cup Final between Neath and Merthyr.
The chant of ‘Neath, Neath, Neath’ rang loud and proud around Principality Stadium once more as the men in black from The Gnoll produced a breathtaking second half performance to stun red-hot favourites Merthyr and claim a remarkable 32-21 victory in the WRU Premiership Cup Final.
Trailing at the interval, the Welsh All Blacks emerged for the second half with a ferocity and physicality that Merthyr simply could not live with. The Gnoll outfit outscored their opponents 20 points to nil after the break in a spectacular turnaround that silenced the doubters and sent their supporters into raptures.
Leading that charge was skipper and number eight Ben Williams, whose non-stop display epitomised everything Neath threw at their opponents throughout a stunning second half.
For Merthyr, it was a heartbreaking end to what had been a momentous season, their double dream dashed at the final hurdle on what should have been a celebratory occasion.
You can browse the complete Neath v Merthyr Welsh Rugby Union Premiership Cup Final image gallery our dedicated photography website.
Neath:
Luke Davies; Jon Bayliss, Sean Wilcox, Aled Davies, Kaden Davies; Iestyn Morgan, Connor Tantum; Mason Morgan, Sion Jones, Marley Lovell, Matthew Davies, Jon Barley, Steff Lewis, Gethin Tremlett, Ben Williams (captain).
Replacements: Kian Jones, Josh Jones, Chris Thomas, Josh Hughes, Jacob Blackmore, Llewellyn Hawkes, Aled Davies, Casey Williams.
Merthyr:
Jack Kathrens; Joseff Jones, Cole Swannack, Tom Hughes, Kodie Stone; Ben Jones, Adam Hoskins; Travis Hawkins, Ryan Hughes, Rhys Lewis, Paddy McBride (captain), Craig Locke, Daniel Phillips, Jack Perkins, Aled Evans.
Replacements: Ellis Shipp, Jamie Savery, Harrison Rock, Tom Offa, Finley Thomas, Zacery Lynam, Jacob Lloyd, Harry Morgan-Grant.
Referee: Gareth Newman
