REEBOK REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS HEAT UP

The Scarlets are already through courtesy of four wins in five games so their game against the Cardiff Blues at Llandovery is academic. However, the Dragons and the Ospreys will do battle at Abertillery to see who will meet the runaway leaders in the final in April.

The Ospreys have surprised all but themselves so far this season with home victories over the Scarlets and Dragons leaving them just one win away from the Millennium Stadium. However, the biggest surprise of the inaugural age grade championships has been the form of the Dragons who began the season as the warm, if not red-hot, favourites to carry off the Under 18 title.

Back to back defeats against the Scarlets and a narrow reverse at Maesteg against the Ospreys has left them needing to beat the Neath-Swansea side this week to stand any chance of joining the Scarlets in the final. Anything less will not be enough. The Ospreys could afford to lose as long as they score four tries in the process and the Dragons fail to gather a bonus point for achieving the same feat.

The Under 16s are also in action thi week having had their round six matches postponed due to waterlogged pitches on Januray 11. League leaders Scarlets take on Blues North at Llanelli, however the Ospreys game against Blues South at Maesteg’s Old Parish has been postponed again.

Meanwhile the final round of qualifying games at Under 20 level has been moved from March 9 to 23 when the Blues will take on the Scarlets at Pontypridd’s Sardis Road and the Ospreys will meet the Dragons at Aberavon.

Fixtures

U16s
Scarlets v Blues North (Llanelli RFC)
Ospreys v Blues South (Maesteg RFC)

U18s
Scarlets v Blues (Llandovery RFC)
Dragons v Ospreys (Abertillery RFC)