Dragons U18s travel to Llandovery to face Scarlets on Sunday, knowing a win will ensure them a place in this seasons’ WRU Academies Championship final with one group phase game to spare.
The young Men of Gwent currently sit second following four wins and two losses and know a win at Llandovery’s Church Bank will ensure them a top two place alongside Cardiff.
Backs Coach Evan Lloyd outlined the importance of a good result on Sunday.
“It’s absolutely massive,” said Lloyd. “You look at where it places us in terms of opportunity to play in the final against Cardiff, this weekend becomes vital.”
“We haven’t placed a massive emphasis on it, it’s all been about us.
“How can we continue to improve and back up our performance from Sunday against RGC and give us a good opportunity in Llandovery on the weekend.
“We are only focussing on keeping our house in order and if everything we do goes to plan then the result should take care of itself.”
Should Dragons win on Sunday it would ensure an East-Wales double-header with Cardiff set to visit Centre of Sporting Excellence Ystrad Mynach next Sunday.
For the trip west to meet Scarlets, Dragons have made three personel changes to the team which won 43-5 at home to RGC last weekend.
Danny Hutchinson comes in on the wing with Theo McKerrow switching from right to left wing, while Jayden Llewellyn starts at loosehead with Ciaran Beavis moving to tighthead.
The other change sees Jack Cordy return to 12 to partner Brogan Leary in the centres.
Dragons scored seven tries last weekend and coach Evan Lloyd will be hoping a similar display of attacking rugby this weekend.
“Super pleased, I thought some of the intent and ambition to play was great, especially after the week previously against Ospreys, scoring 40 points against Ospreys and then 43 against RGC,” said Lloyd.
“I think scoring points is something we're doing really well and we’ve scored the tries in a number of different ways which is most pleasing and just shows we have a lot of strings to our bow.”
Last time out against Scarlets, a late try from forward Elliot Beavan along with a Kai Kinsey conversion with the last kick of the game secured a 12-10 home win in atrocious conditions.
Lloyd and the team will be hoping for improved conditions on Sunday to showcase those attacking skills once more.
Dragons U18s: Sam Morgan; Danny Hutchinson, Brogan Leary, Jack Cordy, Theo McKerrow; Liam Lawlor, Isaac Williams; Jayden Llewellyn, Tiaan Hall (cap), Ciaran Beavis, Elliot Beavan, Gethin Clarke, Troy Raymond, Hadley Worgan, Jake Sheppard.
Replacements: Benson Ngoshi, Rudi Creel, Scott Crewe, Dylan Pennell, Ollie Belavia-Walker, Rhodri Davies, Kai Kinsey, Douglas May.
