There will be a repeat of the final of the last two seasons at the Arms Park today (Sunday 23 August – 2.30pm) when Cardiff Rugby seek revenge on their counterparts from the Ospreys for winning the WRU Academy U18 Championship.
Both side’s kicked off this season’s campaign with victories in the opening round and Cardiff can point to two wins in the pool stages over their west Wales rivals last season before being pipped by a point in the final.
The Ospreys opened with a 33-19 triumph over the Scarlets, while Cardiff went to Ystrad Mynach and beat the Dragons 53-38.
“It was nice to see the players putting into practice what they had worked on in pre-season. Now we want to see them grow in confidence and get better,” said Ospreys pathway development manager Gareth Walters.
“They managed the game really well after suffering shocking start in which the Scarlets scored twice. The boys stuck to the game plan and found a soft spot in the Scarlets maul defence which they exploited well.
“It was quite a mature performance in the end and now we need to concentrate on going about our business in Cardiff. We know they have got some X-Factor players and we have done our homework on them.”
RGC enter the competition after sitting out the first round. They warmed up with U17 and U18 games against Coventry in preparation for their clash with the Scarlets at Llandovery’s Church Bank ground.
WRU ACADEMY U18 CHAMPIONSHIP – PHASE 1
Round 1 – Sunday 16 August
DRAGONS 38 – 53 CARDIFF
OSPREYS 33 – 19 SCARLETS
BYE: RGC
Round 2 – Sunday 23 August
SCARLETS v RGC – Llandovery 2.30 pm
CARDIFF v OSPREYS – Arms Park 2.30 pm
BYE: Dragons
Round 3 – Sunday 30 August
RGC v CARDIFF – Parc Eirias 2.30 pm
OSPREYS v DRAGONS – The Gnoll 2.30 pm
BYE: Scarlets
Round 4 – Sunday 6 September
DRAGONS v RGC – Ystrad Mynach 2.30 pm
CARDIFF v SCARLETS – Arms Park 2.30 pm
BYE: Ospreys
Round 5 – Sunday 13 September
RGC v OSPREYS – Parc Eirias 2.30 pm
SCARLETS v DRAGONS – Llandovery 2.30 pm
BYE: Cardiff
RAG / Academy U18 Champions 2005-2026
2026: Ospreys: 2025: Ospreys: 2024: Scarlets; 2023: Ospreys; 2022: Dragons: 2021: No competition (COVID); 2020: Cardiff Blues; 2019: Dragons: 2018: Scarlets: 2017: Ospreys; 2016: Cardiff Blues; 2015: Ospreys; 2014: Cardiff Blues: 2013: Scarlets; 2012: Cardiff Blues; 2011: Cardiff Blues; 2010: Cardiff Blues; 2009: Ospreys; 2008: Ospreys; 2007: Ospreys; 2006: Ospreys; 2005: Scarlets Champions: Ospreys 9, Cardiff 6, Scarlets 5, Dragons 1