For the Ospreys, it’s a case of trying to retain the trophy they won last season, whilst for the Dragons, Sunday’s final appearance is their first since the inception of the competition.
The Gwent region booked their place in the final with a hard fought victory over the Blues at Taffs Well two weeks ago and will be hoping to avoid a repeat of the 31-3 defeat they suffered at the hands of the holders on the opening night of the season.
Outside half Danny Ellis has played a key role throughout the campaign to date, although it’s the Dragons’ pack who hold the key. They dominated the Blues for long periods of their game two weeks ago and if they can repeat that performance, it promises to be a tight affair.
The Ospreys too have been dominant at forward this term whilst behind the scrum they have two of the championship’s outstanding players in Kristian Phillips and Ashley Beck.
Ospreys High Performance Manager Dai Arthur said, “We enjoyed a clean sweep two seasons ago and won two of the three finals last season. I would like to think we can kick off this season’s series of finals with a win this weekend. The squad and coaches have worked tirelessly all season and are understandably looking forward to the day.”
Dragons Coach Gareth Lintern said, “To have reached the final is an achievement in itself, but we don’t want to accept that, we want to go on and win the competition. We understand the enormity of the task but we have prepared well and are ready for the challenge.”
In the third place play off, at the same venue, the Scarlets take on the Blues.
Blues HPM said, “It was disappointing not to have reached the final, but we will be going all out to win the play off.”
Mostyn Richards, the WRU Elite Performance Manager said, “Once again the competition has been outstanding and I fully expect that Sunday’s games will be as competitive and exciting as those in the pool stage.
“There are some excellent players at this age group and I am personally looking forward to seeing our best young players in action.”
Ospreys: C Lewis; L Powell, K Phillips, A Beck, R Bayliss; M Jarvis, R Jones; G Jenkins, C Davies, J Rees, L Peers, M Evans, B Carey, B Howe, R Ruddock
Replacements: C Banfield, B John, M Evans, G Jones, A Berrow, J Vaughan, W Taylor
Dragons: T James; T Driver, A Hughes, M Pewtner, I Coombes; D Ellis, H Walsh; D Watchurst, C Atwell, S Maguire, M Allen (capt), T Crandon, D Francis, R Jenkins, J Thomas
Replacements: M webber, J Jones, K Brown, C Howells, K Smith, J Flower, V Thomas
Scarlets: L Rees; G Griffiths, A Pickersgill, S WIlliams, W Bowen; D Etteridge, G Davies; T Davies, L Lewis (capt), S Gardiner, L Kendall, J Galley, E Siggery, E Lloyd, S Phillips
Replacements: G George, R Jenkins, G Havard, J Davies, R Kinnear, A Mashabane, C Phillips
Blues: J Loxton; J Davies, L Fear, W Rees-Hole, S Matthews; J Deacon, C Rees; C Phillips, I Davies (capt), M Lewis, K Evans, J George, G Davies, M Rees, D Lewis
Replacements: K Perry, H Greville, A Pugsley, G Caplin, R Healy, T Rowlands, I Smerdon
