The Dragons will be hoping to stay in the hunt for a top two finish in the WRU Academy U18 Championship when they host RGC at Ystrad Mynach today (Sunday, 6 September – 2.30pm).
Having run in a magnificent seven tries against reigning champions the Ospreys at The Gnoll in last weekend’s 41-19 they will be looking to make it two wins from three games.
Rhys Dyer starred with a hat-trick and there were also two tries for fellow wing Dylan Cole. Elis Anderson and Troy Raymond grabbed the other tries.
But the home side won’t be able to take anything for granted after RGC held league leaders Cardiff Rugby to a single score in their first home game. Cardiff eventually made it three out of three with a 24-19 triumph, but it was hard work for them.
“It was a big improvement from our game against the Scarlets and I was really proud of the way the boys kept fighting right until the very end. On another day, I feel we could easily have come away with the win,” said RGC head coach Afan Bagshaw.
“It felt like something really clicked within the group and there is a growing belief in themselves. They’ve realised what they are capable of when they trust each other and apply the work we’ve put in throughout pre-season and during the week.
“There are still areas for us to improve, but this group continues to move in the right direction. We’re now really looking forward to travelling to face the Dragons.
“It will be another great opportunity for the boys to test themselves, continue their development and, most importantly, showcase what North Wales rugby has to offer.”
Cardiff welcome the Scarlets to the Arms Park and will be hoping to end their first block of four marches with another win to maintain their 100 per cent record.
TEAMS
Dragons U18: Liam Lawlor; Ottis Mighten, George Bradbury, Jack Williams, Dylan Cole; Louis Morgan, Isaac Williams; Logan Leonard, Morgan Suller, Yi Sheng Chi, Tom Vizard, Olly Beynon, Jake Leighton (captain), Zac Little, Troy Raymond
Reps: Jimmy Sargent, Harry Price, Gabe Pugh, Bobby Joe Williams, Gethin Tudball, Aach Morgan, Otis Smith, Alfie Davies
RGC U18: TBC
Cardiff U18: Isaac Manning-Burke; Theo Poole, Owen Lewis, Cooper White, Jack Roberts; Finn Britton, F Evans; J Chalmers, Evan Hughes, Isaac Jones, Harri Lewis, Beau Cantwell, Alex Ballinger (captain), Ffredi Easterby, Will Watkins
Reps: C Savage, J Allen, Cian Sterio, J Brookes, Conor McGhee, B Thomas, Ellis Cambourne
Scarlets: Rhys James; Flynn Williams, Cole Inker, Dylan Williams, James Bentley; Evan Rees, Lloyd Davies; Olie Tucker, Elis Evans, Dai Thomas, Elliot Fourace, Ryan Williams (captain), Ryan Lanfear, Harvey Thomas, Lloyd Davies
Reps: Bobby Thomas, Jenson Cornelius, Jayden Duxburry, Bradley Williams, Ben Morgan, Macs Morgan, Ifan Davies, Steffan Thomas
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 31 – 14 RGC
CARDIFF 43 – 5 OSPREYS
BYE: Dragons
Round 3 – Sunday 30 August
RGC 19 – 24 CARDIFF
OSPREYS 19 – 41 DRAGONS
BYE: Scarlets
Round 4 – Sunday 6 September
DRAGONS v RGC – Ystrad Mynach 2.30 pm
CARDIFF v SCARLETS – Arms Park 4.00 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