Number Eight Jevon Groves will captain Cardiff Blues Premiership Select when they face Ospreys Premiership Select in a friendly fixture at BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park on Wednesday evening (kick-off 7.15pm).
Groves will lead an exciting young team as the Cardiff Blues Premiership Select prepare for this season’s B&I Cup competition that has seen them drawn in Pool 4 against Nottingham, Cornish Pirates and London Welsh.
A number of players who have featured in the Principality Premiership this season for Cardiff RFC and Pontypridd RFC are given the chance to shine.
Other notable inclusions are Coleg y Cymoedd product Shane Lewis Hughes, who could play his first senior game of rugby, being named on the bench while excited RGC talent Rhun Williams is also among the replacements.
The coaching team has also been confirmed with Richard Hodges, Elite Performance Pathway Manager at Cardiff Blues, heading up the backroom staff and supported by Duane Goodfield and Gareth Wyatt.
Coaches from Cardiff RFC and Pontypridd RFC will also support the cup campaign as part of the development pathway.
“We are looking forward to this season and excited about the challenge of taking part in the British & Irish Cup and Wednesday night’s friendly with the Ospreys Premiership Select,” said Hodges.
“A number of young players who have impressed in club rugby this season are given the opportunity to feature and push their claims to be part of the British & Irish Cup squad this season.”
Fans are encouraged to come and support the two teams and advised that entry to the game will be with a donation to #StayStrongForOws and #TeamLochie.
Cardiff Blues Premiership Select: 15 Harry Davies, 14 Geraint Walsh, 13 Garyn Smith, 12 Adam Thomas, 11 Owen Jenkins, 10 Jarrod Evans, 9 Lewis Jones; 1 Bradley Thyer, 2 Liam Belcher, 3 Scott Andrews, 4 Seb Davies, 5 Chris Dicomidis, 6 Macauley Cook, 7 Ben Roach, 8 Jevon Groves (c)
Replacements: 16 Callum Lewis, 17 Ethan Lewis, 18 Dillon Lewis, 19 Miles Normandale, 20 Shane Lewis Hughes, 21 Jordan Viggers, 22 Mike Hale, 23 Callum Hall, 24 Chris Knight, 25 Owen Lane, 26 Elis Wyn Benham, 27 Rhun Williams