Both teams go into the game after an enforced 8 week break created by the new WRU structured season. This break has allowed the regional coaches to watch all U18s players across the region play for their schools and clubs before picking a squad to take them into this years competition.
The Dragons had a successful pre-season programme that started with a camp in Hartpury college and culminated in two wins against tough English opposition, Northampton Saints and Wasps and a strong showing in the RFU U18s South festival, beating Bristol and Gloucester and narrowly losing to Bath.
Newly appointed Academy Skills Coach Shaun Connor coaches the side, with Academy Manager, James Chapron, Cross Keys Backs Coach Morgan Stoddard and WRU Officer Gareth Lewis rounding out the coaching team.
The side welcome back Leon Brown after a 6 month lay off with a shoulder injury, and are fortunate to have enough strength in depth to allow Academy Centre Barney Nightingale to play LV rugby with the senior team.
The competition is an excellent proving ground for all younger players and this years competition will be no exception. James Chapron, Dragons Academy Manager comments: ‘Having seen how competitive the National Colleges League has been, we are expecting to see a similarly tough competition this year. The format of the competition has been tweaked to raise the intensity levels and effectively, each game is now a trial for Wales U18s.
“Our players have prepared well and we are looking forward to some exciting rugby.
“The first game against the Blues will be extremely tough as they are a well coached side with a lot of strength in depth; it will be interesting to see how our players compete’.
The Dragons team is as follows:
15. Jared Rosser – Newport High School / Pontypool United RFC
14. George Gasson – Cross Keys College / St Cenydd School / Caerphilly RFC
13. Connor Edwards – Newport High School / Croesyciliog RFC
12. James Hussey – Cross Keys College / Caldicot RFC
11. Lloyd Lewis – YG Glynllyw / Cross Keys RFC
10. Josh Malson – Newport High School / Pontypool United RFC
9. Owain Leonard – YG Glynllyw / Abergavenny RFC
8. Ben Watts – Monmouth Boys / NHSOB RFC
7. Joe Thomas – Cross Keys College / Penallta RFC
6. Nathan Hudd – Newport High School / Caerphilly RFC
5. Bryce Morgan – Newport High School / Caerleon RFC
4. Lewis Johnson – Monmouth Boys / Caerleon RFC
3. Leon Brown – Newport High School / Cross Keys RFC
2. Ellis Shipp – Cross Keys College / Penallta RFC
1. Jack Williams – Cross Keys College / Abergavenny RFC
16. Owen Hughes – Monmouth Boys
17. Corey Hewlett – Cross Keys College / Penallta RFC
18. Benji John – Monmouth Boys
19. Josh Reid – Clifton College / Abergavenny RFC
20. Max George – Lewis School, Pengam / Penallta RFC
21. Sior Pearce – Cross Keys College / Pontypool United RFC
22. Ben Phillips – Llandovery College
23. Gareth Jones – Monmouth Boys / Abergavenny RFC
Gates open at 6:30pm – all are welcome.
