The Scarlets will be doing their best to stop arch-rivals the Ospreys from making it three wins in a row in the WRU Academy U18 Championship when they travel to meet them in Round 1 of this season’s tournament at The Gnoll on Sunday 16 August (2.30pm).
The first phase of four rounds of fixtures kick-off this weekend with the Dragons hosting the runners-up for the past two seasons, Cardiff Rugby, at Ystrad Mynach (2.30pm). RGC have a bye in Round 1.
Many of the players will be going head-to-head a week after playing for the Wales U18 development squad against Scotland and Italy at a training week in Scotland last week. Cardiff provided 10 of the 31 players, while Ospreys and Scarlets had six each, the Dragons 4 and RGC one.
One of the Ospreys players who was in Scotland was lock Jacob Jones, son of former Wales Grand Slam skipper Ryan. He was this week announced as the first Ospreys youngster to benefit from a ground-breaking new partnership between the region and Ffynone House School.
The teenage second row wil take up the first scholarship under the new partnership which will provide first class educational support to the player development pathway. The initiative ensures Wales’ brightest rugby prospects can pursue academic excellence alongside their professional rugby aspirations and will enable the Ospreys to retain their talent in the region.
Ffynone House School will feature on the front of the jerseys for both the Ospreys U18 and U16 teams as part of their package deal – starting with the opening game at The Gnoll.
The Scarlets have had a big build up to the championship that has seen them around 70 boys get game time in competitive matches at U17 and U18 levels against Ulster, the Dragons, Ealing Trailfinders and at the Malvern Festival.
“It is also great to welcome back into the group the boys who were with the Wales development squad in camp in Scotland last week. It has been a tough process reducing the squad for this championship because everyone has worked and trained hard throughout the summer,” said Scarlets’ head coach Tom Phillips.
“We have a talented group, including a number of younger players coming in this year who are all keen to learn and develop. If you look at the Scarlets senior squad and senior academy at the moment, a lot have come through from our U18 teams and regional pathways and I’m sure there are a number of players in this group who have a bright future ahead of them.”
Phillips will have a wealth of experience backing him up with Llandovery head coach Euros Evans looking after the forwards and former Wales and Scarlets centre Scott Williams attending to the attack. Rhodri Jones is in charge of the backs, Matthew Williams takes on defence and Llew Phillips-Taylor is looking after the S&C.
Cardiff look to have another powerful squad and they will want to go one better than the last two years when they were pipped at the post by the Ospreys. They head to Ystrad Mynach hoping to take the scalp of their eastern foes the Dragons in another juicy derby clash.
“There’s a bit of rivalry in the first game which will be interesting. We had the same fixture first up at the Arms Park last year and had a bit of a rude awakening in the first half then almost came back to win,” said Dragons Academy coach Adam Thomas.
“Everyone’s looking forward after a good pre-season and it’s important in this summer block that we give boys some game time and the year ones some exposure early doors so we learn a bit more about them before block two.
“There are a lot of new faces and it’s quite a young squad, but they’ll now have two years to be in the pathway to grow.”
“We’ve had a really good block of preparation, good playing opportunity for the boys at Saracens and the younger group at the Malvern Festival and against Scarlets. It’s been really positive and something we haven’t done before.”
WRU ACADEMY U18 CHAMPIONSHIP SQUADS
Cardiff Rugby U18
Oliver Northmore (Cymoedd / Merthyr), Max Evans (Whitchurch HS / Unattached), Cian McGee (CAVC / Bedwas), Finlay Evans (Glantaf / Cardiff Quins), Max Randell (CAVC / St Alban’s), Gethin Evans (Glantaf / Pontypridd), Lukas Williams (Y Pant / Pontyclun), Theo Poole (Cymoedd / Ystrad Rhondda), Lewis Kinsey (Glantaf / Pontypridd), Cooper White (Bridgend College / Ystrad Rhondda), Cian Sterio (SGS College / St Peter’s), Jacob Allen (Christ College, Brecon / Brecon), Zack Payne (Eastern HS / St Alban’s), Jack Evans (Bro Morgannwg / Penarth), Gray Shanahan (Bro Edern / St Alban’s), Cairion Savage (Cymoedd / Mountain Ash), Jack Roberts (Plasmawr / Pentyrch), William Creed-King (Crickhowell HS / Abergavenny), Max Phillips (St Cyre’s / Penarth), Efan Mitchell (Bro Morgannwg / Penarth), Efan Jenkins (Glantaf / Cardiff Quins), Ellis Cambourne (Rhydywaun / Nelson), Bowen Thomas (Christ College, Brecon / Abergavenny), Beau Bloue Cantwell (Tonyrefail Community School / Tonyrefail), Caiden Harrigan (CAVC / St Peter’s), James Mitchell (Christ College, Brecon / Abergavenny), Ieuan Taylor (Cardiff HS / St Peter’s), Trystan Coates (Infinite College / Penarth), Iestyn Stephens (CAVC / Bedwas), Evan Jones (Glantaf / Merthyr), Tom Langley (Christ College, Brecon / Old Penarthians), Garin Davies (Tonyrefail Community School / Tonyrefail), Josh Greyling (Cathedral School, Llandaff / Penarth), Mason Evans (Tonyrefail Community School / Tonyrefail), Jack Charmers (Cymoedd / Porth), Osian Leeke (CAVC / Cowbridge), Jack Evans (Bro Morgannwg / Penarth), Sam Brookes (Whitchurch HS / Llanishen), Ffredi Easterby (Bro Morgannwg / Cowbridge), Liam Williams (Bro Morgannwg / Penarth), Owen Lewis (Cymoedd / Llantwit Fardre), George Thomas (Cymoedd / Porth), Alex Ballinger (Cymoedd / Beddau), Isaac Manning-Burke (Cymoedd / Pontyclun), Evan Hughes (Cymoedd / Glifach Goch), Adam Oaten (Cymoedd / Pontyclun), Will Watkins (Y Pant / Pontyclun), Issac Jones (Glantaf / Aberdare), Devon Morris (Bro Edern / St Peter’s), Harri Lewis (Llandovery College / Pontyclun), Lois Allen (Whitchurch HS / Rhiwbina), Ollie Matthews (Garth Olwg / Pontypridd), Fin Britton (Whitchurch HS / Rhiwbina)
Dragons U18
Backs: Elis Anderson (Penallta), Rhys Anthony (Pontyclun), George Bradbury (Whitehead), Dylan Cole (Caerphilly), Alfie Davies (Machen), Rhys Dyer (Caerleon), Tobias Edwards (Pontypool United), Joshua Johnson (Risca), Sam Kings (Pontypool), Liam Lawlor (Bedwas), Ottis Mighten (Caerleon), Louis Morgan (Caerphilly), Zach Morgan (Talywain), Olly Morris (Newbridge), Otis Smith (Chepstow ), Isaac Williams (Whitehead), Jack Williams (Abergavenny), Rhys Wood (Bargoed ) Elliot Young (Whitehead)
Forwards: Olly Beynon (Haberdashers’ Monmouth), Yi Sheng Chi (Risca), Gethin Clarke (Newport HSOB), Jayden Coxe (Penallta), Rudi Creel (Pontypool), Oscar Friend (Whitehead), Danny Jones (Pontypool), Teifi Jones (Penallta), Jake Leighton (Newbridge), Logan Leonard (Pontypool), Cam Lewis (Senghenydd), Zac Little (Whitehead), Rafe Llewelyn (Monmouth), Ollie Mitchell (Pontypool), Theo Patterson-Phillips (Caerphilly), Harry Price (Bedwas), Gabe Pugh (Bargoed), Troy Raymond (Caerleon), Elis Rice (Bedwas), Jimmy Sargent (Pontypool), Morgan Suller (Whitehead), Gethin Tudball (Bedwas), Tom Vizard (Monmouth), Bobby-Joe Williams (Whitehead), Iwan Williams (Machen)
Ospreys U18
Forwards
LH Props: Mason James, Ashton Maybank, Xavier Howells, Charlie Noaks
Hookers: Bobbie Bennett, Grayson Lewis-Whelan, Jonah Ratti
TH Props: Charlie O’Brien, Jayden Underhill, Lewis Morse, Ellis Matthews
Locks: Will Carroll, Jacob Jones, Joel Wallace
Back Rowers: Harrison Watkin, Finn Lewis, Evan Trott, Ronan Hire, Austin Howells, Tobi Baldoni
Scrum Halves: Aled Evans, Codey Tymkiv, Will Kerslake
Fly Halves: Cai Davies, Harrison Hook
Centres: Zac Mizen, Max Carman, Oliver Hopkins, Ioan Price
Wings: Kayden Brooke, Jaidyn Ryan-Young, Ashton Crook, Ethan Davies
Full Backs: Dylan Quin, Joe Bailey, Jenson Phillips
RGC U18
Forwards
Props: Gwion Aled (Bala), Logan Goodluck (Colwyn Bay), George Evans (Newtown), Jake Young (Pwllheli), Luke Sinnott-Davies (Wrexham), Carwyn Roberts (Llangefni), Ben Lacey (Colwyn Bay), Rhys Jones (Mold)
Hookers: Cameron Harry (Caernarfon), Dylan Bufton (COBRA), Francis Walton (COBRA), Austin Sammut (Unattached), Iestyn Roberts (Bangor)
Locks: Harri Hallam-Dunn (Ruthin), Liam Edwards (Newtown), Charlie Cuckson (Mold), Celt Carr (Pwllheli), Joe Rodenhurst (Shrewsbury), Logan Millington (Wrexham), Ewan Lightfoot (Shotton Steel), Gruff Jones (Caernarfon)
Back Row: George Farrington (COBRA), Toby Edge (Colwyn Bay), Adam Davey (Caernarfon), Dylan Avery (Oswestry), Joe Ryder (Unattached), James Riordan (Newtown), Josh Jones (Unattached), Hywyn Jones (Bangor), Corin Jones (Pwllheli), Aled Jones (Nant Conwy)
Backs
Scrum Half: Morgan Sweetman (COBRA), Owain Jones (Oswestry), Lucas Jones (Abergele)
Outside Half: Gwern ap Rhys (Pwllheli), Eneas Parry-Fink (Bangor), Richard Hughes (Ruthin)
Centres: Harry Hogan (Abergele), Ryan Williams (Llangefni), Huw Williams (Wrexham), Cai Williams (Mold), Caio Thomas (Llangefni), Leon Smale (Colwyn Bay), Alex Orehawa (Newtown), Jona Malherbe (Caernarfon), Thomas Hogan (Dinbych)
Wings: Connor Dean (Rhyl), Will Taylor (Llangefni), Archie Talbot (COBRA), Jac Williams (Unattached)
Full Backs: William Brock (Chester), Matthew Kemp (Colwyn Bay), Jorgie Lynch (Abergele), Aron Roberts (Nant Conwy)
Scarlets U18: Backs: James Bentley (Dyffryn Amman / Amman Utd), Oscar Coslett Campbell (YG Aberaeron / Aberaeron), Ifan Davies (Maes y Gwendraeth / Tumble), Lloyd Davies (Hartpury College), Charlie Eatly (Strade, Burry Port), Iago Evans (Henry Richards / Aberystwyth), Will Harnett Jones (Llandovery College / Llandovery), Rhys James (Bro Myrddin / Carmarthen Quins), Tomos Jones (Bro Myrddin / St Clears), Owain Llyr Hywel (captain, Hartpury College / Aberystwyth), Cole Inker (Llandovery College / Llandeilo), Macs Morgan (Bro Myrddin, Carmarthen Quins), Llyr Morris (Strade, Burry Port), Evan Rees (Dyffryn Amman, Tycroes), Deio Thomas (Hartpury College / Newcastle Emlyn), Steff Thomas, (Sir Gar / Llandeilo), Dylan Williams (Llandovery College / Wimbledon), Flynn Williams (Dyffryn Amman / Tycroes)
Forwards: Sid Castree (Coleg Sir Gar / Narberth), Jenson Cornelius (Greenhill / Tenby), Steffan Davies (Aberaeron / Aberaeron), Szymon Dominiak (Coedcae / Burry Port), Jayden Duxberry (Strade / Burry Port), Elis Evans (Bro Teifi / Newcastle Emlyn), Ifan Gravell-Jones (Strade / Burry Port), Will Hobley (Llandovery College / Ebbw Vale), Ryan Lanfear (Strade / Burry Port), Ethan Lewis (Sir Gar / Tenby), Ben Morgan (Bro Myrddin / Carmarthen Quins), Bobby Parr (Milford Haven / Haverfordwest), Griff Rees (Dyffryn Amman / Amman Utd), Austin Sandford (Sedbergh / Aberystwyth), Zac Slater (Dyffryn Amman / Tycroes), Cai Soanes (Coleg Sir Gar / Carmarthen Quins), Bobby Thomas (Cardigan / Newcastle Emlyn), Dai Thomas (Dyffryn Amman, Amman Utd), Harvey Thomas (Llandovery College / Haverfordwest), Ollie Tucker (Llandovery College / Tenby), Bradley Williams (Greenhill, Tenby), Ryan Williams (Llandovery College / St Clears)
Injured: Dylan Cadwallader (Dyffryn Amman / Tycroes), Gwion John Davies (Bro Teifi / Newcastle Emlyn), Kelston Fairhurst (Coleg Sir Gar / Amman Utd), Elliot Fouracre (St John Lloyd / Llanelli Wanderers), Seb Harris (Bro Gwaun / Haverfordwest), Spencer Odley (Llandovery College / Tenby)
WRU ACADEMY U18 CHAMPIONSHIP – PHASE 1
Round 1 – Sunday 16 August
DRAGONS v CARDIFF – Ystrad Mynach 2.30 pm
OSPREYS v SCARLETS – The Gnoll 2.30 pm
BYE: RGCRound 2 – Sunday 23 August
SCARLETS v RGC – Llandovery 2.30 pm
CARDIFF v OSPREYS – Arms Park 2.30 pm
BYE: DragonsRound 3 – Sunday 30 August
RGC v CARDIFF – Parc Eirias 2.30 pm
OSPREYS v DRAGONS – The Gnoll 2.30 pm
BYE: ScarletsRound 4 – Sunday 6 September
DRAGONS v RGC – Ystrad Mynach 2.30 pm
CARDIFF v SCARLETS – Arms Park 2.30 pm
BYE: OspreysRound 5 – Sunday 13 September
RGC v OSPREYS – Parc Eirias 2.30 pm
SCARLETS v DRAGONS – Llandovery 2.30 pm
BYE: CardiffFINALS -Thursday 4 February