The home side picked up maximum points and Ospreys Premiership Select head coach Dan Griffiths is looking or a major improvement from his side on home soil.
“It was obviously a disappointing start to our British and Irish Cup campaign to suffer a loss last week away at Yorkshire Carnegie, but it’s a test now for the boys to see how they can learn lessons from the game and their own performances to improve before this week’s match,” said Griffiths.
“We are a young side, the average age of our backs last week was just 19, and it’s obviously tough for them to face experienced professional teams. But I think despite the final score the boys gave a really good account of themselves.
“The team maintained possession well and were relentless in their attack of the try line on several occasions, particularly late in the first half , and it was probably just that lack of experience that cost them the opportunity to clock up a few more tries.
“We know we have another hard challenge on Friday as we take on London Scottish. They’re currently mid table in the Championship but have had some close games and they come into this game after beating Munster in the first round, which will give them a boost.
“We have worked on a few things with the squad in training this week and will be looking at the boys to give a more confident and accurate performance.”
American Eagles international Cam Dolan has been drafted into the back row for Cardiff Blues Premiership Select’s trip to Old Deer Park to meet London Welsh. Dolan joins full back Aled Summerhill coming into the starting line-up from the side that drew the opening B&I Cup game against Nottingham last weekend, 20-20.
Cardiff centre Will Rees-Hole is given a chance to partner Wales Under 20 star Garyn Smith in midfield, while new Academy member Owen Lane features on the wing.
“We’re looking forward to the London Welsh fixture and renewing some old rivalries at Old Deer Park. Last weekend’s game against Nottingham was dominated by the weather conditions, so we are hoping for some better conditions to play the style of rugby we want to adopt in the cup competition,” said Blues PS XV head coach, Richard Hodges.
“London Welsh will be aiming to bounce back from defeat to Cornish Pirates and were recently playing in the top-flight in England, so we are aware of the challenge we will face in London. But I’ve been really pleased by the enthusiasm and desire to improve in training this week and so we travel keen to secure our first win in the B&I Cup this season.”
The Scarlets PS XV will be looking to pick themselves up from a 35-6 home defeat to Bedford Blues last weekend when they meet Bristol Rugby at Ashton Gate on Sunday.
Welsh international scrum half Rhodri Williams forms a useful half-back pairing with the up and coming Josh Lewis, while former Wales Under 20 skipper Kirby Myhill is at the heart of a strong front row. Tom Williams, Jacob Cowley and Jack Condy have played for the Scarlets this season.
“We have a big challenge ahead of us at the weekend. We are a very young group – the oldest player is 24 – and we are taking on a very experienced Bristol side,” said Scarlets PS XV head coach, Dai Flanagan.
“We’ve only had one session as a group this week so the preparations have been tough. What we will be looking for from the young side is improvement in their game management.
“We have to learn from last week and move on. It’s nice to have players like Tom Williams and Rhodri Williams from the senior regional side to bring pace and some experience and particularly game management from the likes of Rhodri.”
The Dragons PS XV were the only Welsh region to enjoy success in the opening round of B&I Cup games and they will be looking to build on their 34-12 win over the Connacht Eagles in Galway with a second win over Jersey at Pandy Park on Sunday.
Jersey drew 22-22 at home against Doncaster Knights in their first round fixture last weekend and have made a number of changes for the trip to Wales. Former Dragons player Lewis Robling is playing at Jersey, but is not included in the squad for this game.
Ospreys PS XV: Richard Fussell (captain); Tom Williams, Joe Thomas, Owen Watkin, Keelan Giles; Joel Matavesi, Martin Roberts; Gareth Thomas, Scott Otten, Dan Suter, Matthew Dodd, Rhodri Hughes, Rhys Jones, Olly Cracknell, Ifereimi Boladau
Replacements: Marc Thomas, Ieuan Davies, Cai Griffiths, James Ratti, Joe Tomalin-Reeves, Matthew Aubrey, Joe Gage
Cardiff Blues PS XV: Aled Summerhill; Owen Lane, Garyn Smith, Will Rees-Hole, Geraint Walsh; Gareth Davies, Lewis Jones; Thomas Davies, Joe Tomlinson, Scott Andrews, Miles Normandale, Chris Dicomidis, Cameron Dolan, Jevon Groves (captain), James Sheekey
Replacements: Bradley Thyer, Joe Jones, Shane Lewis Hughes, Jordan Viggers, Chris Williams, James Thomas, Harry Davies
Scarlets PS XV: Will Thomas; Tom Williams, Jacob Cowley, Billy McBryde, Nathan Edwards; Josh Lewis, Rhodri Williams; Wyn Jones, Kirby Myhill, Will Taylor, Josh Helps, Jack Jones, Tom Phillips (captain), Owain Morgan, Jack Condy
Replacements: Ryan Elias, Rhys Thomas, Ben Leung, Ben Thompson, Shaun Evans, Connor Lloyd, Matthew Pearce
