Following on from last week’s victory over the Scarlets, the young Ospreys are ready to take on the Blues at Cardiff Arms Park with both sides going into the game unbeaten.
Last season saw a strong Blues side secure both home and away victories over the Ospreys but buoyed by their success against reigning champions the Scarlets last week, Shaun Connor’s side are ready for the challenge.
“We feel much more competitive this season. We have prepared well and covered all the bases and hope to perform well on the night,” he said.
“The squad know this is their opportunity to show what they can do and have trained hard in preparation.”
After an impressive performance against the Scarlets, Connor has unsurprisingly decided to keep much of the same side who performed so well at Parc y Scarlets.
Rees Geely comes into the side on the left wing with Josh Cole coming off the bench and into the starting 15. Ollie Thompson also joins the match day squad as a replacement while Wales Under 18 internationals Luke Price, Adam Beard and Jon Fox all start.
While the Ospreys may be in confident mood, the Blues will be in a similar state of mind after defeating the Dragons at Cardiff Arms Park last week. Dynamic No. 8 Hemi Barnes looks one to watch out for from the base of the scrum.
The other fixture on Wednesday sees two sides who lost last week, the Dragons and the Scarlets, clash at Pandy Park, the home of Principality Premiership side Cross Keys.
Cardiff Blues: 15 James Whittingham 14 Harry Thomas 13 Harri Millard 12 Lewis Morgan 11 Ellis Wyn Benham 10 Tyler Williams 9 Mike Hale, 1 Rob Lewis 2 Liam Belcher 3 Kieron Azzarati 4 Ben Murphy 5 Seb Davies 6 Aled Evans 7 Owen Young 8 Hemi Barnes.
Replacements: Gerwyn Coleman, Joel Ringer, Bleddyn Griffiths, Jack Davies, Callum Haggett, Rory Harris, Callum Hall, Teri Morgan Gee.
Ospreys: 15 Joe Gage 14 Stuart Nicholas 13 Joe Thomas 12 Owen Watkin 11 Rees Geely 10 Luke Price 9 Mathew Aubrey, 1 Harrison Walsh 2 Luke Davies 3 Sam Martin 4 Adam Beard 5 Mathew Dodd 6 Josh Cole 7 Ben Davies 8 Jon Fox.
Replacements: Lewis Francis, Shaun Howard, Lloyd Rees, Ollie Thompson, Rowan Davies, Nial Popham, James Davies, Morgan Jones.
Dragons: 15 Steffan Oljzanski 14 Curtis Ayling 13 Tyler Morgan 12 Taylor Dimmick 11 Lloyd Lewis 10 Arwel Robson 9 Owen Davies, 1 Keagan Bale 2 Ellis Shipp 3 Leon Brown 4 Ben Deacy 5 Gareth Allen 6 Matthew Donovan 7 Lloyd Phillips 8 Harrison Keddie (c).
Replacements: Jack Williams, Kieran Jenkins, Luke Leddington, Jack Johnsey, Seamus Casey, Ben Pesci, Ben Snell, Connor Goode.
Scarlets: 15 Jack Evans 14 Rob Stevenson 13 Kieran Jones 12 Matthew Pearce 11 Shaun Pearce 10 Dan Jones 9 Kieran Hardy, 1 Jack Parry 2 Dafydd Hughes 3 Richard Bassett 4 Ryan Morgan 5 Alun Thomas 6 Josh Macloed 7 Shaun Evans (c) 8 Josh Middleton.
Replacements: Ifan Phillips, Warren James, Scott Jenkins, Dan Gallwey, Charlie Randell, Ilan Wyn Jones, Ceri Morris, Rhys Davies.
