Scott Matthews will be urging his Coleg Gwent women’s team to ‘relax and enjoy’ their fourth consecutive WRU Welsh Schools U18 Cup final at Principality Stadium today (kick-off 5.15pm).

The reigning champions will be meeting familiar foes in Llandovery College in the second game in the WRU’s extensive ‘Road to Principality 2024’ jamboree.

Both teams come into the final showdown boasting unbeaten records, so something will have to give.

“I still remember my first appearance at the stadium in the WRU Challenge Cup final with Cross Keys. It didn’t go well, and I didn’t enjoy it,” said Matthews, who doubles as the director of women’s rugby at the college and captain of Pontypool in the Indigo Premiership.

“When I went back last season with Pontypool, I told myself to calm down, not to make a big deal out of it and to enjoy the occasion. That’s the message I’ll be giving to my team.

“They have been fantastic all season and almost every one of the 23 will have played at Principality Stadium at one time or another for Coleg Gwent, Nelson Belles or a school side. This will be our fourth final in a row, and we’d like to make it four wins as well.”

Matthews has been in charge of the women’s rugby programme at the college ever since it started six years ago and has seen academy numbers rise from six to 41.

It is fast becoming the best in Wales and is now branching out to play against similar colleges in England.

Last year they beat Llandovery College 17-0 with tries from Caitlyn Wilkes, Chloe Bradley and captain Molly Wakely, but that was only possible after they had withstood and almighty first half onslaught from Llandovery.

“We may have won all our games in this competition to date, but he all know our hardest test is yet to come. Llandovery have been excellent all season and pushed us all the way last year,” added Matthews.

As well as playing in the domestic tournament, Matthews has taken his side to England.

“We’ve beaten Filton College and Oaklands College and got a draw against Exeter College. We’ve still got to play Hartpury and Loughborough,” he said.

“It has been difficult to get games in Wales because of the size of our programme and the success we’ve had, but spreading our wings has been important for the players.

“They’ve come up against new teams, new players and been forced to dig deep to win.

“We’re really proud of the way the academy has progressed and we’ve already produced 13 Wales U18, three Wales U20 and six Wales Sevens internationals.

“More importantly, we like to think we’ve improved every player that has come into our programme by providing them with a professional and fun experience.”