The Dragons haven’t started the competition as planned suffering two losses to the Blues and Scarlets. After a disappointing home performance against the Blues, the Dragons picked themselves up against the Scarlets and showed a marked improvement in all aspects. After fighting hard to get back into the game, a costly error on a defensive lineout allowed stand out player Josh Macloed to crash over for the game-clinching try.
As the Dragons enter their final two games of the first round of competition, they are looking for two performances to lay down markers for the second half of the competition.
After the first two games, James Chapron, Dragons Academy Manager commented: “In the first two games we have come up against quality opposition and have made too many errors.
“The first half against the Blues was below what we expect as a coaching team but, to be fair to the players, they picked up their performance in the second half and showed what glimpses of the potential that the team has.
“Against the Scarlets, the whole game went up a level and was a very physical encounter and we were unlucky not to pick up the result we were looking for. Tonight’s game will be another tough encounter against an Ospreys team that has a lot of young exciting talent – it is a game I am thoroughly looking forward to.”
Newport Gwent Dragons U18s Team to face Ospreys U18s
15. Jared Rosser – Newport High School / Pontypool United RFC
14. Patric Lewis – Cross Keys College / Lewis School, Pengam / Penallta RFC
13. Connor Edwards – Newport High School / Croesyciliog RFC
12. James Hussey – Cross Keys College / Caldicot RFC
11. Lloyd Lewis – YG Glynllyw / Cross Keys RFC
10. Arwel Robson – Cross Keys College / Lewis School, Pengam / Penallta RFC
9. Sior Pearce – Cross Keys College / Pontypool United RFC
1. Corey Hewlett – Cross Keys College / Penalta RFC
2. Ellis Shipp – Cross Keys College / Penalta RFC
3. Leon Brown – Newport High School / Cross Keys RFC
4. Lewis Johnson (c) – Monmouth Boys / Caerleon RFC
5. Bryce Morgan – Newport High School / Caerleon RFC
6. Max George – Lewis School, Pengam / Penalta RFC
7. Mike Herbert – Cross Keys College / Pontypool UTD RFC
8. Josh Reid – Clifton College / Abergavenny RFC
Replacements:
16. Owen Hughes – Monmouth Boys
17. Jack Williams – Cross Keys College / Abergavenny RFC
18. Benji John – Monmouth Boys
19. Max Williams – Newport High School / Caerleon RFC
20. Ben Watts – Monmouth Boys / NHSOB RFC
21. Ben Pesci – Newport High School / Caerphilly RFC
22. Ben Phillips – Llandovery College
23. Josh Malson – Newport High School / Pontypool UTD RFC
Gates open at 6:30pm – all are welcome, £3 entry.