Welsh Rugby Union : Newsroom : Preview: Reebok Regional U20

The Blues entertain the Scarlets whilst the Dragons are at home to the Ospreys, and for Blues U20 captain Sam Warburton, the big kick off can't come quickly enough.

Warburton, last season's Wales U19 captain, will miss the first two rounds of U20 matches later this month after undergoing knee surgery.

However, the Union has worked with the Regions and the Premiership clubs to ensure the best players at U20 level compete in the Regional U20 Championship, which means the competition is sure to be even better this time around, according to Warburton.

"I have enjoyed the first two years and can't wait to get underway. For me, it's likely to be October before I can play, but I will be there shouting the guys on in their opening matches against the Scarlets and Ospreys," he said.

"The fact that the best players are going to be available for the matches means that the competition for places and the challenge to win the trophy will be even greater than it has been."

Another leader of last season's successful Wales U19 side, Scarlets lock Josh Turnbull is looking forward to competing against his peers for selection for this year's U20 squad.

"The Reebok competition has been instrumental for my development in terms of getting into the international age grade sides. Along with the Principality Premiership, we are all focussing on this tournament to stake our claim for places in the U20 squad for the Six Nations and Junior World Championships."

Turnbull sits out tomorrow's match against the Blues but there will be a chance to see Llanelli and Wales U19 fullback Daniel Evans at outside half for the Scarlets, while new Blues signing, Queensland Reds Academy product Luke Evans, gets its first start in Wales at scrum half for the Blues.

The U20s are in action again next Tuesday, with the Scarlets hosting the Dragons at Narberth and the Ospreys taking on the Blues at Llandarcy.

Blues: L Halfpenny; B Warburton, F Edwards, L Ford, N Rees; J Thomas, L Evans; S Hobbs, H Dowden, S Andrews, J Porter, M Al-Azzawi, J Groves (Capt), D Franks, K Dacey

Replacements: M Howells, T Price, P Palmer, M Gardner, J Thomas, H Allen, L Williams

Scarlets: R Cuniffe; M Lemon, J Harries; R Williams, T Rees; D Evans, J James; G Robinson, T Wilson, M Evans, H Pugh, J Kierney, D Zangouras, N Cudd, L Phillips (Capt

Replacements: G Flynn, S Thomas, C Jenkins, A Harries, L Owen, M Gibson, D Watts

Dragons: B Howells; N Preece, J Hannam, G O'Driscoll, L Cole; J Tovey, J Leadbetter; W Griffiths, N Buck, C Fillier, A Sweet (capt), D Morgan, L Bray, S Horton, S Pailor

Replacements: L Harwood, R Cadagon, S Maguire, G Smith, T Edwards, G Dare, S Skinner

Ospreys: TBC

U20 Round 1 fixtures: Wednesday September 12th

Blues v Scarlets (Cardiff Arms Park 7.15)
Dragons v Ospreys (Rodney Parade 7.15)

U20 Round 2 fixtures: Tuesday September 18th

Scarlets v Dragons (Narberth RFC)
Ospreys v Blues (Llandarcy Academy)

U18 Round 2 fixtures: Wednesday September 19th

Blues v Ospreys (Llanharan RFC)
Dragons v Scarlets (Abertillery RFC)

RGC 1404 have celebrated their crowning as Division One East winners, after just one season of competitive rugby. A big crowd turned out to support the clubs 'Celebration Saturday' when they were presented with the SWALEC trophy following their definitive 45-0 home win against Rhydydfelin on 18 May.

Wrexham have won the SWALEC National League Division 3 title, having topped the table with 83 points, eight points ahead of their nearest challenger Menai Bridge.

A special video package as Pontypridd claimed the double for the first time in their history by winning the Principality Premiership final, including match build-up, highlights, post match reaction and dressing room celebrations.