However, if the Dragons can gain a maximum from this, their sixth game of the season, and finish the campaign with two more victories, they too will be pushing hard to join the Blues North in next month’s final showdown.
For tonight’s opponents much will depend upon the Ospreys, who have stolen a march in second place as the qualifying games reach a critical point in the season.
The Ospreys travel to Treforest to play the Blues South knowing that victory will serve them particularly well in the pursuit of a place in the February 28th final. They are currently eight points ahead of the Scarlets who they defeated last time out and if results do go their way they could all but settle the race this evening.
Ospreys high performance manager Dai Arthur, who has seen his U18 side retain the title they won last season, said, “It would be great to see all three of our sides making it through to the finals once again.
“It’s going to be tough because we do have some difficult fixtures to come. However, if they win this evening, it will stand them in good stead.”
Opposite number at the Scarlets, Darryl Hill, said, “It’s a time of the season when you can’t afford to make mistakes. Having said that, we are not putting any pressure on the side – they have developed well this year and we want them to carry on developing.”
Blues South v Ospreys (University Playing Field, Treforest)
Dragons v Scarlets (Pandy Park, Cross Keys)
Ospreys: C Punchard; L Powell, R Llewellyn, B John, D Morse; C Banfield, R Jones; W Taylor, G Harvey, S Howells, L Peers (capt), A Berrow, A Thomas, G Jones, R Ruddock
Replacements: H Williams, C Baker, E Walker, T Saunders, L Williams, S Hicks, M Evans
Dragons: J Evans; N Williams, R Howells, J Flower, M Palmer; C Edwards, L Evans; L Bevan, J Owen, A Kempson, T Crandon, R Wilson, J Davey, C Howells, C Atwell (capt)
Replacements: S Williams, J Jones, M Morgan, T James, L Penn, K Smith, J Williams
Scarlets and Blues South unavailable at present
