After wins in their last two games, the Ospreys are arguably the form side in the U16 age group but face a difficult trip to Abercynon to take on Blues North.
“We’ve been much improved in the most recent of the season, we have won our last two games,” said Ospreys head coach David Jones.
“We’re back on the road this week and we’re looking to take that form with us. Our rest week is coming up and all the boys are keen to play but we will rotate as much as we can.”
After securing hard-fought wins over RGC 1404 and Blues South, both by the same score of 25-15, Jones is hopeful his side can extend their unbeaten run.
“Coming into the second part of the season, the shirts are there for the boys to make their own. We’re hugely competitive across the board,” he added.
“We started off poorly but as time has gone on we have improved in every game. Things are starting to improve, the boys are learning about what it takes to play regional rugby and hopefully it continues.”
For the trip to Abercynon, the Ospreys will be led by Chris Long who partners Jacob Blackmore in the second row. Owen Watkin and Stuart Nicholas combine in the centre outside half backs Matthew Aubrey and Dylan Francis.
At Parc y Scarlets, Jared Rosser will be one of the principal attacking threats for the visitors as the Dragons seek an away win. He is joined in the back three by Barney Nightingale and Lewis Phillips with the three Jack’s- Kedward, Davies and Williams looking to provide the platform from the front row.
“We’re excited with the prospect of taking on the Scarlets, it’s going to be a tough game,” said Dragons coach Grant Robson.
“We played very well in our last game but didn’t take our chances against RGC 1404. Then we had a poor second half performance and fell to defeat so we’re looking to rectify that.
“We’ve had enough time now to try a range of different players and it’s time for the majority of the squad to stand up and be counted to achieve their potential.”
Scarlets: 15 Jack Evans 14 Gwion Jones 13 Ryan Davies 12 Matthew Pearce 11 Shaun Pearce 10 Billy McBryde 9 Rhodri Rees, 1 Rhys Fawcett 2 Zac Phillips 3 Richard Bassett 4 Colin Markham 5 Stephen Leonard 6 Steffan Davies 7 Shaun Edwards 8 Stefan Taffestauffer.
Replacements: Scott Jenkins, Matthew Moore, Jamie Hughes, Ryan Bean, Shaun Evans, Kieran Jones, Daniel Gealy, Harry Randall.
Dragons: 15 Jared Rosser 14 Barney Nightingale 13 Conner Edwards 12 James Hussey 11 Lewis Phillips 10 Arwel Robson 9 Sior Pearce, 1 Jack Kedward 2 Jack Davies 3 Jack Williams 4 Bryce Morgan 5 Ben Watts 6 Lloyd Phillips 7 Nathen Hudd 8 Matthew Donovan.
Replacements: Angus Brown, Ellis Shipp, Leon Brown, Ryan Collins, Jon Vinney, Ben Pesci, Patric Lewis, James Scarfi.
Blues North: 15 Alec Jones 14 Jarred Evans 13 Callum Morris 12 Marcus Lewis 11 Kurtis Williams 10 Callum Hall 9 Liam Jones, 1 Ben Stephens 2 Gerwyn Coleman 3 Kieran Assarratti 4 Emlyn Luxton 5 Dylan Davies 6 Lloyd James 7 Leon Rogers 8 Morgan Sniewski.
Replacements: Dewi Morris, David Harries, Jarred Almond-Roberts, Hywel Thomas, Aled Evans, Jack Owen, Jacob Lloyd, Curtis Povey.
Ospreys: 15 Morgan Jones 14 James Roberts 13 Stuart Nicholas 12 Owen Watkin 11 Regan Grace 10 Dylan Francis 9 Matthew Aubrey, 1 Sam Matthews 2 Rhydian Jenkins 3 James Tanner 4 Chris Long 5 Jacob Blackmore 6 Lloyd Webb 7 Connor R Davies 8 Josh Cole.
Replacements: Jac Briggs, Rhys Bowden, Rhys Howells, Jack Davies, Ellis Richards, Ben Davies, James Taylor, James Davies.
