The Ospreys Age grade sides were back in training this week, as the second stage of their season gets underway at the weekend.
Being put through their paces at Llandarcy Academy Of Sport, the U16s and U18s squad are ready for the next two months of games where they will face their fellow Welsh regions, with the U16 sides ending the second stage in a battle between the East v West of Ospreylia.
The U18s side will kick off their season with a trip up to North Wales on Sunday 15th January where they will take on Rygbi Gogledd Cymru U18 at Parc Eirias at 2pm. Facing the Blues three days later at Llandarcy on the 18th January K.O 7:30pm. The U18s final will take place on the 22nd February, with the venue to be confirmed.
The U16s will have to wait a little longer to start their season which kicks off on Wednesday 1st February with the West side welcoming Blues South to Llandarcy for a 7:30pm K.O. The West side ended the first stage of the season with a 17-17 draw against Dragons South back in September.
Ospreys U16 East welcome Dragons North U16 to the Brewery Field on the same evening Wednesday 1st February at the slightly earlier kick off time of 7:15pm.
Ending the first stage of the season with a 31-31 draw against Blues South, the Ospreys East side showcased great skill, despite falling just short of the win. Hard aggression, determination and a positive attitude were the key which the side have built on to take into the next stage.
Head coach for the U16s East Colin Beaton said:
“We are all looking forward to block two of the season. We have brought in five or six players as a result of our ‘Talent ID Process’ through September to December. The Squad is strong and its already apparent from the first three sessions that the standards are high and there is competition across all positions for places. We are starting with a clean slate in Block 2 so the players have got it all to play for.
“Having had two draws and a win in the first block we will be looking to improve on our defensive structure but maintain our fast attacking game. It is an important time for the players as they will be looking to be selected for the Ospreys Combined team and hoping to impress the development staff to earn a place in the C Group for next season.”
Full fixture lists for this stage can be found here:
U18s http://www.ospreysrugby.com/FixturesResults/Season/2018?team=U18s
U16s East http://www.ospreysrugby.com/FixturesResults/Season/-1?team=EastU16s
U16s West http://www.ospreysrugby.com/FixturesResults/Season/-1?team=WestU16s