Dragons U18s have named their first side for block two of the WRU Academies Championship against Ospreys at the Gnoll on Sunday (KO 2:30pm).
Following on from a positive first block where the young Dragons won three games and lost one, the young Men of Gwent will be looking to keep their momentum and push towards top spot.
The youngsters wore their club jerseys to training earlier in the week, showing their pride in their origin sides.
At fullback, Sam Morgan is one of two Caerphilly RFC players, while he is joined in the back three by Senghenydd’s Ryley Fussell and Ellis Anderson of Penallta.
Jack Cordy is the other Caerphilly youngster and lines up at 12 while 13 George Bradbury joins the likes of James Benjamin and Aaron Wainwright on the Whitehead production line.
Half backs see an all-Abercarn duo of 10 Kai Kinsey and scrum-half Felix Preece-Jones. In the forwards and captain Tiaan Hall of Risca RFC is in between Rudi Creel of Pontypool Utd. and Caldicot’s Ciaran Beavis.
Another Caldicot representative, Elliot Beavan, partners NHSOB’s Gethin Clarke at lock, while Bedwas’ Gethin Tudball, Jake Leighton of Newbridge and Jake Sheppard of Pontypool Utd. round out the side.
On the bench are Benson Ngoshi of Caldicot, Jayden Llewellyn of Newbridge, Pontypool Utd’s Scott Crewe, Dylan Pennell of Penallta and Troy Raymond of Caerleon RFC in the forwards.
While Whitehead’s Isaac Williams, Liam Lawlor of Bedwas and Brogan Leary of Monmouth RFC are the backs on the bench.
“We’re raring to go, very excited after a very good end to the last RAG block,” said centre Jack Cordy.
“After a difficult game against Cardiff we ended it off with three wins on the bounce.
“The home game against Ospreys was a tough game in the sun but I think it’s going to be the opposite down at the Gnoll on Sunday.
“Muddy pitch, weather’s not going to be the best I don’t think, but it’s never going to be easy against Ospreys, a physical side who are big up front, so hopefully we can get the win.”
Dragons U18s: Sam Morgan; Ryley Fussell, George Bradbury, Jack Cordy, Ellis Anderson; Kai Kinsey, Felix Preece-Jones; Rudi Creel, Tiaan Hall (c), Ciaran Beavis, Elliot Beavan, Gethin Clarke, Gethin Tudball, Jake Leighton, Jake Sheppard.
Replacements: Benson Ngoshi, Jayden Llewllyn, Scott Crewe, Dylan Pennell, Troy Raymond, Isaac Williams, Liam Lawlor, Brogan Leary.
