Whilst the competition itself provides annual excitement, the push for places in the Wales U20 squad this season means all forty-four players on show in today’s final, between the Ospreys U20 and Blues U20, will be keen to leave an indelible mark on Coach Patrick Horgan. Both teams have dominated the pool stages of the competition and with the added incentive of selection for the national U20 side, today’s game at Eugene Cross Park, Ebbw Vale, should be one to savour.
The Ospreys U20, who won the U16 and U18 titles last season, will be doubly keen to lift the trophy having lost out in the final, ironically to the Blues U20, twelve months ago. Despite the absence of outstanding outside-half Daniel Biggar due to a thumb injury, the Ospreys U20 can call on last season’s Wales U19 star Gareth Owen, whilst the pack will be led by the likes of prop Ryan Bevington and No.8 Rory Pitman.
The Blues U20 have Australia-raised scrum-half Luke Evans in their side along with the excellent Jevon Groves, Leigh Halfpenny and Luke Ford.
Mostyn Richards, Elite Performance Manager for the WRU said: “It is an exciting season for everyone at this age group and I know the coaches of the national side will be keeping a close eye on things today. Having said that, the push for places in the squad will not detract from the game, which I predict will be a closely fought game played out between two very competent sides. It should be another great occasion for those people involved.”
Blues U20: L Halfpenny; J Egan / J Loxton, N Rees, L Ford, H Allen; J Thomas, L Evans; S Hobbs, H Dowden, S Andrews, M Al-Azzawi, J Groves (Capt), J Thomas, D Franks, S Warburton
Replacements: TBA
Ospreys U20Â (probable): W Davies; D Evans, W Price, N Harwood, J Murphy; G Owen, G Williams; R Bevington, R Lawrence, D Matthews, K Ruddock (Capt), N White, J Tipuric, J Jones, R Pitman
Replacements: D Trederay, L Price, S Williams, K Maiden, S Soul, L Elliott, D Ronan
