Recent results, particularly for the Dragons in coming into form and beating the Blues and RGC away from home and the Scarlets at home; and the Ospreys’ January wins over Scarlets, Blues and RGC, mean this is one of the tightest WRU Regional Under 18 competition so far, and league standings for the season ride on tomorrow’s final round of matches.
Current champions Blues are currently top of the table and a draw against the Scarlets at Parc y Scarlets would be enough to see them into the final on January 28. It is a lottery as to who grabs the other final place, with match points and bonus points all coming into play but one thing is for sure, the best regional age grade rugby in Wales will be on display and players will be playing for places in the Wales Under 18 squad and starting line-up.
The Dragons travel to St Helens to play second placed Ospreys and must win to have a chance of securing a second successive final spot.
Highlights of both matches will be shown on Rygbi Pawb on Thursday (S4C, 17.45).
WRU National Performance Manager Gethin Watts said, “The campaign has increased in intensity throughout the season culminating in this final, decisive round of league matches. This competition continues to pit the best players against their peers on this crucial part of the performance pathway. It is a fantastic development tool for the youngsters and a great way to observe players’ qualities in a competitive situation as international pathway staff prepare to select the Wales Under 18 squad for the international season ahead.”
WRU Under 18 Regional matches Wednesday 21 January (both 7.15pm)
Ospreys v Dragons (St Helens)
Scarlets v Blues (Parc y Scarlets)
Click here to see table
At the end of the round of matches, if points are level, the Region with the most victories will take the higher position.
If victories are level, the Region with the most bonus points will take the higher position
If bonus points are level, the Region who has scored the most tries will take the higher position
If try counts are level, the Region that has scored the greater number of points in matches will take the higher position.
The pressure’s on for Under 18 final spot
The Ospreys host the Dragons and the Blues travel to Parc y Scarlets tomorrow with a place in the final on offer for all four Under 18 sides.
