The Llanelli Scarlets under 18s are aiming to build on their outstanding victory over the all-conquering Dragons earlier this month when the third round of the WRU Reebok Regional Championships gets underway on Tuesday evening.
The Scarlets had been tipped to finish as second best to the Dragons in the inaugural under 18 competition – even by those within the system at Stradey Park.
However, having won 23-15 at Abertillery Park, the Scarlets now have the opportunity to build on that platform with a game against the Cardiff Blues at Sardis Road, Pontypridd.
Coach Kim Norkett, whose able assistant Robin McBryde has injected new life into the pack, has made a number of changes for the game which will, once again, test the resolve of the side.
Richard Thomas (Strade School and Llangennech) steps in from the wing to fill Steve Martin’s berth at centre with Jon Davies (Whitland School and Narberth) taking over from Rhys Williams in the number 12 jersey.
The Blues, who won 14-8 at the Ospreys last time around, also ring the changes as do the Dragons, who are aiming to get back on track by beating the Ospreys at The Old Parish, Maesteg.
Full back James Lewis moves to his more accustomed role at centre whilst Gavin Ashman takes over at fly half from Rhys Jones.
John Williams, district director for the Dragons’ region said, “Losing to the Scarlets was probably the best thing that could have happened to the side. They are very talented bunch, but that defeat has given them a new focus and I expect tonight’s game to be a real cracker.
“We are delighted with the way the competition is developing the players and we have seen, already, that our players are benefiting from playing at this standard on a regular basis.”
The under 16 game of the day sees the Dragons entertain local rivals the Blues at Bedwas, whilst Blues North will be hoping to register their first victory of the season, against the Ospreys at Aberdare.
Tomorrow night sees the under 20s take centre stage with the Scarlets and Blues meeting head on at Llandovery and the Dragons taking on the Ospreys at Ebbw Vale.
Fixtures
Tuesday November 23 (7pm kick off)
Under 16s
Blues North v Ospreys (Aberdare RFC)
Dragons v Blues South (Bedwas RFC)
Under 18s
Blues v Scarlets (Pontypridd RFC)
Ospreys v Dragons (Maesteg RFC)
Wednesday November 24 (7pm kick off)
Under 20s
Scarlets v Blues (Llandovery RFC)
Dragons v Ospreys (Ebbw Vale RFC)
Teams
Dragons under 16s: J Tovey; G Dare; A Brown, C Wannell, L Preston-Allen; D Langdon, J Leadbeater, M Lear, L Harwood, J Wilkins, A Phillips, R Jenkins, M Williams, S Horton (capt), A Sweet. Replacements: J Burgess, L Cale, Mark Williams, N Buck, S Gibson, D Reekes, O Davies
Dragons under 18s: C Vitalini/A Smith; J Norris, J Lewis, G Maule, M Johnston; G Ashman, R Lewis (capt); G Price-Jones, B Roberts, J Leek, N Hurley, A Brown, D Crandon, B Flowers, L Evans. Replacements: W Griffiths, N Williams, R Willard, T Organ, R Turner, R Jones, AN Other.
Dragons under 20s: L Pearson; C Jones, J Farthing, G Furguson, D Robinson; S Mills, A Walker; T Hearn, S Vokes, R Wilkes, R Thomas, S Morasco, P Seargant, R Nash, J Lydiatt. Replacements: C Morgan, M McGill, N Downs, D Barrett, M Pettit, A Morgan, M Leek
Ospreys under 16s: N Hobson; W Davies, T Williams, S Soul, L Osowics; N Damjanovic, R Webb; P Price, D Ronan (capt), R Bevington, J Griffiths, N White, M Saker, N Brown, S Jones. Replacements: M Shropher, G Lougher, L Halfpenny, A Minnifey, C Kelly, J Richards, R Brooks
Ospreys under 18s: G Whittaker; N Harwood, A Wilkins, D Watts, J Pike; N Roberts, L O’Brien; L Williams-Jones, R Lawrence, G Cunniffe, S Evans, R Kelly, S Kiley, L Harris, J Jones. Replacements: C Morgan, J Howells, M Jones, P John, A Pritchard, L Simms, M Thomas.
Ospreys under 20s: A Banfield; N Trowbridge, C Tossell, T Stephenson, M Jeffreys; J Spratt, M Roberts; R Jones, J Littlehales, C Mitchell, M Collins, R Geriat, B Lewis, C Moses, T Smith (capt). Replacements: L O’Connor, J Dixon, B Gant, W Blaydon, R Jones, D Lloyd-Jones/R Cridland, R Gallagher
Scarlets under 18s: M Thomas; K Davies, R Thomas, J Davies, A Jenkins; R Priestland, D Allinson; H Gustaffson, E Phillips, T Slater, A Jenkins, L Reed, B Harries, L Phillips, J Turnbull. Replacements: D Jones, K Owens, L Spurway, L Hansford, J James, R williams, Ll Jones
Scarlets under 20s: C Evans; D Daniel, S Davies, E Williams, M Davies; A Thomas, L Davies; H Jenkins, D Halpin, I Jones, D Day, R McCusker, L Williams, R Thomas, C Everett. Replacements: D Evans, L Williams, G Evans, C Looney, G Jenkins, R Jones, K Davies.
Blues South under 16s: W Williams; J Egan, B Warburton, P Williams (capt), J B Morris; J Thomas, R Dyer; G Spears, S Barry, P Jones, L Rappa, S Warburton, C Holcombe, R Watts-Jones, M Ciriello. Replacements: S Spavin, L Griffin, S Regan, E Morris, C Llewellyn, G Price, J Bird
Blues North under 16: L Hughes; B Powell, C Lewis, A John/O Lewis, M Powell; N Rees, S Parry; C Johns, R Williams, D Matthews, J Edwards, M Alazawi, L Davies, R James, C Dacey. Replacements: S Beahin, Luke Davies, D Hinds, R Dunn, T Price, L Collins, J Thomas.
Blues under 18s: K James; J Bird, J Gough, L Thomas, C Thorne; C Ashton, C Bala; S Thomas, M Jones, K Jenkins, B Davies, J Down, J Cullen, D Franks, M Larson. Replacements: J Davies, L Ford, A Shields, J Groves, N Eaves, R Jenkins, A Fowler
Blues under20s: J Roberts; C Clayton, G Evans, D Hewitt, C Czekaj; D Flanagan, T Dickens; R Gill, D Goodfield (capt), P Osborne, S Wahdan, W Jones, D Thorn, R Shellard, A Powell. Replacements: R Wood, G Williams-Davies, N Trevett, G Jones, M Bailey, A Murphy, C Dicomedis.
