Training at Ystrad Mynach looked a bit different this week as Dragons Academy players wore the various colours of their Gwent clubs to a session as they prepare for their upcoming Under-18s fixtures.
Kits from all around the Gwent valley were on show as the young Dragons prepare to face teams from Cardiff, Ospreys, Rygbi Gogledd Cymru and Scarlets.
Abertillery RFC, Caldicot, Pontypool United, Senghenydd RFC, Cwmbran RFC, Risca RFC, Ebbw Vale RFC, Penallta RFC and Abercarn RFC were just some of the jerseys on show for the U18s.
Dragons begin their campaign away at Ospreys U18s next weekend on Sunday the 12th of January before heading north to face Rygbi Gogledd Cymru exactly a week later.
Our U18s first home game sees Dragons host Scarlets on the 26th before Cardiff play host for the final game of the group stages on the ninth of February.
Should Dragons finish in the top four teams, they will take part in the semi-finals on the 16th of February with the ultimate goal of a final on the 23rd of February.
The Regional Age Grade Championship (or RAG) is a brilliant opportunity for the next generation of Dragons stars to showcase their skills with many looking to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Nick Thomas, Evan Minto and Dylan Kelleher-Griffiths in making their senior debuts.
Dragons U18s squad:
Forwards: Ashton Swain (Ebbw Vale RFC, Coleg Gwent Crosskeys), Benson Ngoshi (Calidcot RFC, Newport High School), Harri Jacob (Pontypool United RFC, Newport High School), Jack Parcell (Sengenydd RFC, St Cenydd School), Joshua Bradley (Ebbw Vale RFC, Coleg Gwent Crosskeys), Joshua Parfitt (Penallta RFC, Nantgarw College), Lewys Robinson-Blanche (Pontypool United RFC, Coleg Gwent Crosskeys), Scott Crewe (Pontypool United RFC, Coleg Gwent Crosskeys), Tiaan Hall (Risca RFC, Coleg Gwent Crosskeys), Tobie Cribb (Senghenydd RFC, YG Cwm Rhymni), Regan Jones (Cwmbran RFC, Monmouth School for Boys), Luke Daniel (Pontypool United RFC, Monmouth School for Boys), Sam Walters (Ebbw Vale RFC, Merthyr College), Cerrig Smith (Abercarn RFC, Coleg Gwent Crosskeys), Tiehi Chatham (Cwmbran RFC, Newport High School), Jake Sheppard (Pontypool United RFC, Coleg Gwent Crosskeys), Chester Creel (Pontypool United RFC, Coleg Gwent Crosskeys), Elliot Beavan (Cwmbran RFC, Newport High School), Freddie Hicks (Monmouth School for Boys) Cae Jones (Pontypool United RFC, Newport High School), Max Woodward (Cwmbran RFC, Hartpury College) Jack Williams (Whitehead RFC, Newport High School), Joseph Lydiatt (Whitehead RFC, Christ College Brecon)
Backs: Aneurin Evans (Cwmbran RFC, Newport High School), Brogan Leary (Monmouth RFC, Monmouth School for Boys), Cai Wardman (Penallta RFC, Coleg Gwent Crosskeys), Callaghan Leary (Monmouth School for Boys), Danny Hutchinson (Cwmbran RFC, Newport High School), David Petrescu (Cwmbran RFC, Newport High School), Devon Shorney (Senghenydd RFC, Coleg Cymoedd), Felix Preece-Jones (Abercarn RFC, Coleg Gwent Crosskeys), Harry Dawes (Cwmbran RFC, Monmouth School for Boys), Jake Jenkins (Pontypool United RFC, Coleg Gwent Crosskeys), Joe Salter (Whiteheads RFC, Monmouth School for Boys), Kai Kinsey (Abercarn RFC, Llandovery College), Morgan Carter (Pontypool United RFC, Coleg Gwent Crosskeys), Morgan Cusack (Pontypool United RFC), Noah Morgan (Caerphilly RFC, Newport High School), Rhys Cole (Blackwood RFC, Coleg Gwent Crosskeys), Ryley Fussell (Senghennydd RFC, Coleg Gwent Crosskeys), Samuel Morgan (Caerphilly RFC, Stcenydd Community School), Tegwyn Mahoney (Blackwood RFC, Coleg Gwent Crosskeys), Carter Pritchard (Caerphilly RFC, Cardiff and Vale College), Will Ford (Senghenydd RFC, St Cenydd School), Ethan Patterson (Oakdale RFC, Hartpury College), Regan Watkins (Ebbw Vale RFC, Coleg Gwent Crosskeys).
Dragons U18 RAG Fixtures
Dragons U18s vs Ospreys – Sunday, Jan 12 @ 5.15 pm, CCB Centre of Sporting Excellence, Ystrad Mynach
RGC vs Dragons U18s – Sunday, Jan 19
Dragons U18s vs Scarlets – Sunday, Jan 26 @ CCB Centre of Sporting Excellence, Ystrad Mynach.
Cardiff vs Dragons U18s – Sunday, Feb 9
U18s Semi-Finals – Sunday, Feb 16
U18s Finals – Sunday, Feb 23
