Shingler lines up in Celtic Cup clash

ALL four regions do battle in the opening round of the inaugural Celtic Cup.

The new U23 development competition, which replaces the Anglo-Welsh Cup and the much-maligned British & Irish Cup, will see the Scarlets, Dragons, Ospreys and Cardiff Blues going up against the four provinces as well as two of each other over six consecutive weekends.

The two teams at the top of each Conference will then face off in a final.

First up sees the Ospreys development team clashing with Scarlets A at Bridgend’s Morganstone Brewery Field (7pm) while at Rodney Parade the Dragons A host their counterparts from the Blues (7.15pm).

Richard Kelly heads up the Scarlets coaching team with their side for the opening match including Wales winger Steff Evans, while Marc Jones will also make his bow for the region having joined from Sale Sharks.

Wales international centre Cory Allen starts in an Ospreys line-up captained by hooker Ifan Phillips.

The Cardiff Blues have gone with a mixture of youth and experience for their clash with the Dragons.

“Boys like Steve Shingler and Macauley Cook will help guide some of the younger boys through these games,” said Richie Rees, who is part of the Blues’ coaching team alongside T Rhys Thomas, George Earle and Gethin Jenkins

“Playing with and learning from experienced regional players will be invaluable for the younger boys’ development.

“This will be some of the boys’ first experience of an intensive competitive block over a number of weeks.

“There are two away trips to Ireland to come, and the hope is that we get the boys ready – both on and off the field – for when they get called up for the senior team.”

The Dragons are led by James Chapron with support from Ian Evans, Alan Kingsley and Jon Westwood.