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RE:LIVE - The Complete Box-Set

CRTV | 3rd June 2020


Every Saturday for the past few weeks, with no live sport to enjoy, we took the opportunity to enjoy some nostaglia as we streamed our RE:LIVE series on Facebook.

Each week we’d look at a classic clash from recent years - dating from 1997 to 2019 - and were fortunate to be joined by some Cardiff Arms Park legends, who took up roles as alternative commentators to provide us with priceless tactical insight, stories and memories.

The complete box-set of archived matches is available for your viewing pleasure below. We would like to thank all broadcasters and competitions for their support throughout the series.

Cardiff v Swansea, Swalec Cup Final, 1997 - Andy Booth, Mike Hall and Nigel Walker

The earliest game we showed came from 1997, and the final game to be played at the old National Ground. Safe to say, this encounter is still remembered as one of the great cup finals, with Cardiff coming out on top following a stunning second half fight back.

Arms Park favourite, Andy Booth, was wearing white on the day, while our two other guests, Mike Hall and Nigel Walker, crossed the whitewash for memorable scores in the Blue and Blacks victory.

 

Cardiff v Pontypridd, Swalec Cup Quarter Final, 2003 - Ryan Powell, Ceri Sweeney and Rhys Williams

This Cardiff v Pontypridd clash from 2003 had it all.

The pre-match headlines were dominated by the five new regional sides that were due to be set up in Wales, as they were announced in the build-up. You had some of Wales’ stand out international stars going head-to-head in fiery derby, with future Cardiff Blues legends such as Ceri Sweeney, Gethin Jenkins, Martyn Williams and Jamie Robinson among them.

It was another classic cup match, with the Blue and Blacks coming out on top. The alternative commentary this time came from Ceri Sweeney - backing the Pontypridd corner - and Cardiff duo Ryan Powell and Rhys Williams.

 

Cardiff Blues v Stade Francais, Heineken Cup Group Stage, 2007 - Jamie Robinson and Paul Tito

When a star studded Stade Francais side rocked up at the Welsh capital for a crucial Heineken Cup clash in December 2007, Dai Young’s side saw it as a perfect opportunity to put a marker down.

Rookie outside half, Dai Flanagan, was drafted into the starting line-up following injury to Nicky Robinson in the reverse fixture a week earlier.

In truth, this victory showed the potential of a side who would go on to win the EDF Energy Cup, Amlin Challenge Cup and lose by a (controversial) whiskey in the Heineken Cup semi final over the next couple of years.

Try scorers on the day, Jamie Robinson and Paul Tito, join us for this one.

 

Cardiff Blues v Gloucester, EDF Energy Cup Final, 2009 - Nicky Robinson and Tom Shanklin

In a game that is still fondly remembered by Cardiff Blues fans, Dai Young’s side travelled to Twickenham for the EDF Energy Cup final against a strong Gloucester side.

It’s safe to say that Wales’ Capital Region blew the English outfit away, clocking more than a half century of points to lift the cup for the first time in their history.

Two key men from that day were Tom Shanklin and Nicky Robinson, who give an entertaining insight into this one.

 

Cardiff Blues v Leicester Tigers, Heineken Cup semi final, 2009 - Gwydion Griffiths, Maama Molitika and Xavier Rush

A couple of weeks later, the Blues were back on the big stage as they took on Leicester Tigers in a Heineken Cup semi final.

The Tigers looked destined for a place in the final, but a late fightback, inspired by the likes of Tom James, Ben Blair and Jamie Roberts, saw the match heading into extra time.

The drama was yet to come as the match was forced to be decided through an agonising penalty shoot-out, which is still spoken about today.

Legendary back row duo Xavier Rush and Maama Molitika join former Press Officer, Gwydion Griffiths, for this agonising watch.

 

Cardiff Blues v Toulon, Amlin Challenge Cup final, 2010 - Casey Laulala, Jamie Roberts and Martyn Williams

With memories of the semi final defeat still fresh, the Blues had an opportunity to get their hands on European silverware as they travelled to Marseille to take on Toulon in 2010.

The fiery atmosphere on the French riviera felt like a home match for Toulon, who had the likes of Sonny Bill Williams and Jonny Wilkinson in their side.

However, Cardiff Blues defied the odds to become the first Welsh side to lift European silverware, with three academy products touching down for the tries.

One of those were Jamie Roberts, who provides insight alongside Casey Laulala and Martyn Williams.

 

Cardiff Blues v Toulon, Heineken Cup group stage, 2013 - Robin Copeland and Sam Warburton

Three years later, it was a very different pre-match build up as Toulon visited the Arms Park for a Heineken Cup group stage match.

The Top 14 outfit were now fully established as one of the leading sides in Europe, and a home victory wasn’t considered a possibility by the pre-match previews.

However, a gutsy home performance saw the Blues remain in the battle, with a dramatic late score from replacement outside half Gareth Davies snatching the victory.

Man of the match Robin Copeland joins Sam Warburton to recall this unforgettable afternoon at CAP.

 

Cardiff Blues v Ospreys, Judgement Day, 2017 - Gafyn Cooper and Alex Cuthbert

It was a perfect way for Cardiff Blues to break their long-standing winless streak against their Welsh rivals.

It was a complete performance at Principality Stadium, as Danny Wilson’s side ran in for five tries against Ospreys to seal a comfortable victory.

Without doubt, it was the stand-out Judgement Day match for Cardiff Blues fans, and we had team manager, Gafyn Cooper, and try scoring machine, Alex Cuthbert, talking us through this one.

 

Cardiff Blues v Gloucester, Challenge Cup Final, 2018 - Richard Hodges, Olly Robinson and Blaine Scully

The RE:LIVE series wouldn’t be complete without watching the Challenge Cup final from Bilbao.

In the first episode, we watched Cardiff Blues on their way to lifting their second European Challenge Cup trophy, with yet another stunning and dramatic encounter against our friends from Gloucester.

Two heroes from that night were decisive try scorer Blaine Scully and man of the match Olly Robinson. They are joined by the man behind the defence - coach Richard Hodges - for this one.

 

Cardiff Blues v Scarlets, Guinness PRO14, 2019 - Gethin Jones and John Mulvihill

The final episode of the RE:LIVE series was also the most recent game we showed. 

Last season, Cardiff Blues completed a dominant double over Scarlets, including this ruthless display at Cardiff Arms Park, where they blew the visitors out of the water in a stunning first half.

Lifelong fan Gethin Jones joins John Mulvihill for a tactical look at how the convincing win was secured.