WRU REGIONAL AGE GRADE

CHAMPIONSHIP SET FOR KICK OFF

The whitewash might only just be dry, but it’s that time of year again. After a summer during which the regions have put in endless hours of preparation in readiness for the WRU Regional Championships, the 2010-11 season will kick off on Sunday afternoon with Gogledd Cymru heading south to take on the Blues.

So what does the new campaign hold in store for the competing sides? Eleven teams, more than 250 young hopefuls and the carrot of taking the next step on the player development pathway, along with earning the bragging rights amongst friends.

Last season, the honours went to the Ospreys under 16s and the Blues under 18s, narrow winners in their respective finals at St Helens and the Brewery Field. This time around, the competition promises to be every bit as tight, equally exciting and most definitely as rewarding for those who take part – on and off the field.

Joe Lydon, head of rugby performance and development at the WRU said; “Once again we are looking forward to the first piece of action. The competition has grown in strength over the past half a dozen years with a great many of our current internationals having cut their teeth in age grade rugby.

“This year promises to be just as competitive and hopefully, for the players, a suitable pathway for them to take the next significant step on their journey towards senior rugby."

The tournament is now in its seventh season with the Blues having recently challenged the domination of the Ospreys and Scarlets. Success at under 20 level for the Blues in 2007 and 2008 and for Blues North under 16s in 2008 and 2009 was followed up by last season’s successful Blues under 18 side.

In the early years, the Scarlets enjoyed a clean sweep in 2004-05 with the Ospreys succeeding in all three age groups 12 months later. In 2006-07, the under 16 and under 18 silverware was back at Llandarcy whilst the Ospreys under 18s have won four of the last five competitions.

The emergence of Gogledd Cymru since their introduction to Age Grade rugby two years ago, has given the tournament even greater meaning in terms of spreading the gospel around Wales. In the first year, the North suffered a whitewash at both age groups. Last year, they enjoyed victories at both levels and for under 18 team manager Will Morecombe, 2010-11 represents another opportunity for the fifth region to grow in stature.

“Of course we would like to win more games, but I think the main focus for us is to continue producing good players,” said Morecombe. “The feeling in the North is good and we are certainly looking forward to getting things underway this weekend.”

After Sunday’s games – the under 16s are at Abercwmboi (1.00pm) and under 18s at Merthyr (1.00pm) – the Scarlets under 16s entertain the Ospreys at Parc y Scarlets on Wednesday evening (7.15) whilst the Dragons take on Blues South at Cross Keys.

At under 18 level, the Ospreys and Scarlets will exchange blows at Llandarcy before Gogledd Cymru’s under 16s and under 18s welcome the Ospreys to Colwyn Bay RFC and Parc Eirias respectively, on August 22.

On August 25th Blues North entertain the Dragons at Abercwmboi (7.15), Blues South welcome the Scarlets to Taffs Well (7.15) and the Blues under 18s make the short trip across the border to Blackwood to play the Dragons. To end the month, on August 29th Gogledd Cymru are once again the hosts – the under 16s meet the Dragons at Colwyn Bay RFC (2.00pm) whilst the under 18s play the Dragons at Parc Eirias (2.00pm).

This season there will be semi-final play-offs at both age groups with first playing fourth at home and the second placed team hosting third to determine the Championship finalists.

Teams:

Blues U18: C Allen; O Jenkins, R Evans, T Pascoe, L Chalke; R Patchell, L O’Brien; C Lewis, E Lewis, B Thyer, L Connolly, C Lacey, E Jenkins (capt), S Pring, L Young. Replacements: J Dando, J Dunning, B Roach, Z Deere, J Raikes, G Thomas, J Phillips

Blues U16: S Hutchinson; J Barnett, A Summerhill, S Edwards, G Smith; S Withers, S Clarke; L Crump, A Gibbs, D Lewis, A Luxton, M Jeczalik, J James (capt), L Davies, B Llewellyn. Replacements: N Evans, K Belmont, J James, G Davies, J Harris, J Evans, J Smedley

Gogledd Cymru U18: D Jones; T Brittain; J Blackmore, M Jones, A Oakden; L Barker, A Bagshaw; J Simpson, G Pym, J Evans, J Williams, G Williams, J Grundy, M Parry, A Gwyn. Replacements: M Bevan, J Weaver-Jones, L Williams, J Harding, A Schwarz, J Williams, L Edwards

Gogledd Cymru U16: O Jones; J Strong, H Edwards, R Williams, O Sharples; E Gwynedd, G Pari; B Salisbury, L Williams, C Mitchell, T Oliver, J Hazlehurst, T Twigg, S Critchley, M Davies. Replacements: J Bullard, T Back, S Parry, A Pope, D E Jones, D Rees Jones, R Mayor

August fixtures:

Sunday 15 August

Blues North v Gogledd Cymru U16 Abercwmboi 1pm

Blues v Gogledd Cymru U18 Merthyr 1pm

Wednesday 18 August

Scarlets v Ospreys U16 Parc y Scarlets 7.15pm

Dragons v Blues South U16 Cross Keys 7.15pm

Sunday 22 August

Gogledd Cymru v Ospreys U16 Colwyn Bay 2pm

Gogledd Cymru v Ospreys U18 Parc Eirias 2pm

Wednesday 25 August

Blues North v Dragons U16 Abercwmboi 7.15pm

Blues South v Scarlets U16 Taffs Well 7.15pm

Dragons v Blues U18 Blackwood 7.15pm

Sunday 29  August

Gogledd Cymru v Dragons U16 Colwyn Bay RFC 2pm

Gogledd Cymru v Dragons U18 Parc Eirias 2pm

Ends…