Cardiff Blues Academy manger Justin Burnell is bound to have a victory to celebrate tonight when both teams he coaches face each other in an Arms Park battle.
Burnell has lined up the fixture between Cardiff RFC and Wales Under 19Â’s in order to give his Under 19 side a stern test for their final warm-up game ahead of the IRB World Championships in Belfast next month.
The side played two matches, beating Ireland at Stradey Park before losing to France in Avignon. Their third match against England was called off due to the weather conditions.
Burnell said, “We are playing New Zealand in our opening World Cup match on April 5 so it is vital we are as physically and mentally prepared as possible.
“As we found last year in Dubai, New Zealand are a huge step-up from the other sides we play outside of the World Championships and playing against Cardiff will be good preparation for that Test, and our other Pool matches against Argentina and Samoa.
“Most of our Under 19 side play regularly in the Premiership so we should see a competitive, entertaining game of rugby on Monday night.
“We are more or less there with selection but Monday’s match will help to finalise that and will give us a final chance to see our players in a match situation before the World Championships get underway.
“I will have my Wales Under 19 hat firmly on for this game – but obviously I will also have a keen eye on the performance of my Cardiff players too.
“WRU Blues academy skills coach Danny Wilson and Matthew Silva who are both in the Cardiff RFC coaching team will prepare the Cardiff side, while Patrick Horgan, who coaches Ebbw Vale is our Under 19 assistant coach so it’s fair to say the Principality Premiership will be well represented.”
Wales Under 19s v Cardiff RFC
Monday March 19, kick-off 7.15pm Cardiff Arms Park
Tickets for the match are available on the gate at £2.