The Eyasses were unbeaten in taking the title last year, beating the Dragons 16-10 in the final, to make it two titles in three seasons.
The Ospreys have six of last year’s winning team with Wales Under 18 in South Africa – Callum Carson, Dewi Cross, Cai Evans, Harri Morgan, Dylan Moss and Jordan Walters – but will still have eight members of that squad back in action at Bridgend.
Ben Cambriani, Caine Woolerton, Sam Cambriani and Luke Scully, who will captain the side, appear in the back line, while up front Garin Lloyd, Will Barraclough, Elliot Swindlehurst and Iwan Shenton are up front.
“After a successful, championship winning 2016-17 campaign, where many players progressed and gained senior development contracts, there is a feeling of confidence, and determination around the new group,” said Ospreys U18 head coach, Kevin James.
“On the coaching front we have added two new coaches in Gavin Evans and Chris Davies, but the group has continued to benefit from the support of senior Ospreys players Tom Habberfield, Nicky Smith, Duncan Jones and Andrew Bishop.
“The format for 2017-18 has changed slightly, resulting in less preparation time for the first game against, and we have three games in a short period. The aim is to give all players an opportunity in these first three games ahead of selection for our fourth game of the campaign against the Blues South.”
Ospreys U18: Caine Woolerton; Frankie Jones, Ben Cambriani, Tiaan Thomas Wheeler , Llyr Gealy; Luke Scully (captain), Sam Cambriani ; Ollie Quick , Cameron Lewis , Tom Sly , Rhys Thomas , Ioan Jones, Iwan Shenton, Evan Budge, Will Barraclough
Reps: Garin Lloyd, Chris Crumpton, Morgan Griffiths, Tom Davies, Morgan Strong , Dan Hiscoks, Declan Thomas, Iwan Richards
RGC1404 U18: Sam Earl-Jones; Sean Hughes, Gruffydd Roberts, Matthew Buchanan, Jac McGuffie; Harri Jones, Rowan Hughes; Will Sanderson, Dillon Edwards, Shaun Thomas, Oscar Crowe, James Goodwin, Brenig Hughes, Shaun Owen, Tomos Meirion Davies
Reps: Deio Terfel, Pedr Jones, Jake Bamber, Harry Taylor, Sam Williams, Owen Randall, Jac Ellis, Ieuan Griffiths
