Cardiff Rugby kicked off preparations for the 2026/27 season with a trip up the M5 to Sixways Stadium to face last season’s English Championship winners, Worcester Warriors.

A 28-man Cardiff squad travelled across the border, with valuable game time secured for a number of players as the Blue and Blacks opened their 150th season with a competitive pre-season outing.

Hooker Daf Hughes led Cardiff out for the first time, while new signings Scott Sio, Le Roux Malan and Tom Manz all made their first appearances in Blue and Black.

Cardiff made the perfect start, immediately applying pressure and forcing the hosts to play deep inside their own half. The opening score arrived after just four minutes, as Jacob Beetham finished in the corner.

The scrum became a significant feature of the opening quarter, with a succession of restarts disrupting the flow of the contest. Cardiff’s defence stood firm before Taine Basham doubled the advantage with a typically powerful carry from the base of the scrum.

Cardiff added a third try almost immediately from the restart. Le Roux Malan broke through from inside his own 22, with a fortunate bounce eventually falling into the hands of Cam Winnett. The full-back quickly identified Ellis Bevan in support, and the scrum-half raced through to finish the move.

The visitors continued to dominate possession and territory, and a sustained spell of pressure produced a fourth try in the 28th minute. Cardiff went through phase after phase, repeatedly testing the Worcester defence before eventually creating space out wide for Harri Millard to cross.

Worcester hit back before the break. Roma Zheng engineered a dangerous break which ultimately led to Tim Anstee crashing over, before a series of pick-and-goes brought the hosts further points and reduced Cardiff’s advantage.

Cardiff headed into the interval with a 22-12 lead.

The hosts continued their momentum after the restart, with Will Reed finding a gap in the Cardiff defence following a scrum close to the five-metre line to bring Worcester back within touching distance.

Cardiff responded quickly, however, as a powerful driving maul allowed captain Liam Belcher to find the try line and restore the visitors’ advantage.

Neither side was able to add to the scoreboard for a sustained period thereafter, until Worcester scored late into the final moments to make it a tight 26-27 scoreline.

For Cardiff, the afternoon provided a useful first test of pre-season, with competitive opposition offering a physical examination as the Blue and Blacks continued their preparations for the opening of the new URC campaign.

With new faces bedding in alongside established members of the squad, and a number of players building their match fitness, the trip to Sixways provided an important first step towards the season ahead.