The Wizards open their campaign by hosting Ulster Ravens at the Talbot Athletic Ground tomorrow, kick-off 3pm.
The Wizards and Ravens have met once before in the competition, meeting on Friday 12th March 2010 at Ravenhill where the Irish side ran out 62-0 winners. The Ulstermen scored 10 tries through wing Tommy Seymour (2), centre Ian Whitten, prop Declan Fitzpatrick, number 8 Robbie Diack, full back Bryn Cunningham, scrum half Cillian Willis, centre Michael Allen, wing Mark McCrea, and replacement Ian Humphreys. Outside half Niall O’Connor converted 6 of the tries, with the homeside leading 31-0 at the interval.
The Ulstermen were knocked out at the semi-final stage of the competition that year – the first year of the competition. Since then they have made it to the quarter-finals once (2011-12), but have failed to get out of the pool stage on the other occasions.
Whilst Aberavon will be representing the Ospreys region this weekend, Pontypridd will be hosting London Scottish and Cross Keys will welcome Doncaster. Meanwhile, Carmarthen Quins will travel to the Channel Islands to take on Jersey.
Aberavon: 15 Morgan Williams 14 Kristian Corbisiero 13 Joe Gage 12 David Evans 11 Stef Andrews 10 Ceiron Thomas 9 Chris Morgans; 1 Neil White 2 Ieuan Davies 3 Andrew Clatworthy 4 Adam Beard 5 Sam Williams 6 James Bija 7 Joe Tomalin-Reeves 8 Rob Dudley Jones.
Replacements: 16 Lee Evans 17 Aled Jenkins 18 Luke Davies 19 Andrew Gwynne 20 Gavin Ronan 21 Tom Sloane 22 Chris John