A Shaun Clarke try and a penalty from Jarrod Evans was not enough to earn victory at the Ospreys last week, but with home advantage in their favour, they will fancy their chances of inflicting a third defeat of 2010 on a South side whose only victory came at RGC 1404 11 days ago.
Outside half Sam Withers is amongst those returning to the North side with team manager Nigel Way delighted with his side’s opening to the new campaign. “Obviously, three of our four games have been on home soil and I suppose that has given us an advantage,” said Way.
“We have rung the changes over the opening few games and I think our entire squad has now enjoyed some game time.”
In their three home games to date, the North have scored 84 points with Matthew Jeczalik leading the way with three tries. The South, in contrast, have found points difficult to come by although their victory over RGC 1404 saw them chalk up 22 points thanks to tries from Dafi Davies (2) and David Gooding.
After winning their opening game, 20-16 against the South at Cross Keys, the Dragons will be hoping to make it third-time lucky after successive defeats against Blues North and Scarlets.
The Ospreys, however, can make it five from five if they add to their early season victories over the Blues North and South, the Scarlets and RFC 1404.
At Under 18 level, there is only one game – the Dragons head west to face the Ospreys at Llandarcy.
Having beaten North Wales 27-16 in their first game, the Gwent region went down 26-20 to the Scarlets last week and will need to be at their best to keep the Ospreys at bay.
Under 16
Blues North v Blues South (Abercwmboi); Dragons v Ospreys (Cross Keys)
Under 18
Ospreys v Dragons (Llandarcy Academy)
Blues North Under 16s: S Hutchinson; J Barnett, S Edwards, G Smith, O Smyth; S Withers, J Harris; J Smedley, N Evans, K Belmont, A Luxton, A Panniers, J James, L Davies, T Samuel. Replacements: A Gibbs, L Crump, J James, J Allen, A Gwynne, J Jones, S Clarke
Blues South Under 16s: G Llewellyn; G Davies, T Maton, D Wardle, C Roberts-Walters, T Smith, W Baird; R Calder, R Spiggs, J Bishop, J Sheekey, O Paul, D Davies, D Gooding, O Hitchings. Replacements: G R McPherson, E Phillips, K Trotman, M Snook, H Hitchings.
Ospreys Under 16: A Rowlands; J Needs, L Popham, J Thomas, D Howells; J White, D Brooks; L Jonathan, C Forshaw, D Owens, R Morgan, A Williams, L Cox, R Bargery, C Davies (capt). Replacements: P Sherwood, M Parmenter, T Lewis, S Beard, C Leyshon, T Maggs, M Davies
Dragons Under 18s: L Morgan; J Casey, T Ashmead, S Cole, D Franchi; E Davies, J Guy; J Johnson, J Williams, B Edwards, J Bartlett, L Randell, J Benjamin (capt), R Stephens, I Jones. Replacements: D Rossiter, D Goode, G Eldred, S Andrews, N Martin, J Pursell, J Davies
Ospreys Under 18s: A Wellington; R Williams, S Lewis, B Roberts, R Thomas; S Grabham, W Batcup; N Smith, T Cole, D Suter, J Jones, R Hughes, E Williams, L Wilson, M Jenkins. Replacements: J Preddy, J Mendola-Byatt, S Otten, T Jones, M Davies, B S Thomas
