Head coach Tom Phillips has 15 players back from last season and is hoping for a repeat performance. With a host of Llandovery College and Coleg Sir Gar players in his squad he has had the pick of two of the best teams from the WSC U18 Rugby programme for schools and colleges.
Although they sat out the first round of fixtures they were able to squeeze in a friendly against Ealing Trailfinders to get battle ready for what promises to be a stern opening test. Cardiff bat RGC 46-22 in their first game last weekend.
“We know that Josh Turnbull will have prepared his side well and it is going to be a huge game to kick-off our defence,” said Phillips.
“We learned a lot from the run out at Ealing. Our contact area needed to be strengthened and that really gave us something to focus on.
“We were fortunate to see the Cardiff game last week so we have a good idea of what is going to be coming at us. They like to play fast and the Church Bank pitch should suite their style.
“Getting off to a good start is so important in this competition because we only play four games. We confident we’ve done our best to prepare them and a lot of the groundwork was laid by the schools and colleges.
“The Scarlets pathway looks well set-up for the next few years and we need to keep the talent coming through.”
Cardiff have made five changes to the team that got off to a winning start at the Arms Park. There’s an all new front row, with Vinnay Cleak, Tom Howe and Sion Hill all coming into the starting XV, while Ben Bora starts at blindside flanker and there is one change in the backs with Will Adams partnering Ioan Penry in the centre.
“Overall, we were pleased with last week’s performance against RGC. They caused us some problems in the first half but once we got our house in order and we showed more composure, we came away with a good result against a quality team,” said had coach Turnbull.
“The game against the Scarlets is an opportunity for our players to go and test themselves against a team that have been well coached and organised over the past couple of seasons.
“We’ve tried to keep changes minimal to maintain some consistency. All we ask is that the boys show the same effort and fight both sides of the ball, and that we go out and enjoy playing our brand of rugby.”
Cerrig Smith captains the Dragons side looking to pick up the pieces after an opening day 34-17 defeat at home to the Ospreys. Scrum half Carter Pritchard, centre Morgan Carter and full back Harry Dawes scored tries for them last weekend.
Scarlets v Cardiff Rugby – Church Bank, Llandovery 2.30pm
Scarlets U18: Sion Jones; Thomas Williams, Gryff Watkins, Harri Davies, Tomos Lewis; Carwyn Jones, Cellan Allcock; Will Davies, Jake Bowen, Teifi Thomas, Cai Howells, Kai Jones, Osian Williams (captain), Jac Cloke, Dom Kossuth
Reps: Theo James, Llyr James, Nathan Davies, Charlie Thomas, Hefin Davies, Bowyn Clark, Rhun Davies, Jac JonesCardiff Rugby U18: Rhys Cummings; Calen Edwards, Will Adams, Ioan Penry, Finlay Hart; Lloyd Lucas, Arthur Garfield; Vinnay Cleak, Tom Howe, Sion Hill, Sonny McCabe, Gabe Williams, Ben Bora, Alfie Prygodzicz (captain), Ethan Evans
Reps: Elgan Williams, Dylan Barratt, Jack Clease, Niall Moore, Matt Halsall, Mason Daniels, Ben Coomer, Harrison NixonRGC v Dragons – Rhyl RFC 2.30pm
RGC U18: Gwern Doherty; Reuben Gordon-Astbury, Gruff Llwyd, Osian Llewelyn, Jac Williams; George Owen, Brychan Gwilym; Logan Goodluck, Robert Jones, Oliver Roe, Charlie Cuckson, William Kellett, Joseph Ryder
Dylan Avery, Gruff Rhys Jones
Reps: Eddie Robertson, Dylan Bufton, Jake Young, Huw Owen, Cameron Harry, Ted Wilson, Alex Orehawa, Archie TalbotDragons U18: Joe Salter; Ryley Fussell, Brogan Leary, Tegwyn Mahoney, Rhys Cole; Will Ford, Cai Wardman; Lewys Robinson-Blanche, Tiaan Hall, Max Woodward, Joshua Bradley, Luke Daniel, Cerrig Smith (captain), Tiehi Chatham, Jake Shepard
Reps: Chester Creel, Regan Jones, Scott Crewe, Joshua Parfitt, Elliott Beavan, Carter Pritchard, Ethan Paterson, Charlie Greggory
