Cardiff under-16s have named their sides for this evening’s inter-regional clash at Cardiff Arms Park (KO 7.15pm).

Cardiff North and South have enjoyed a successful Regional Age Grade Championship campaign, suffering only one defeat between them, setting up an exciting finale at the home of Cardiff Rugby this evening.

The future Blue and Blacks have impressed spectators this season with plenty of attacking rugby on show, and it promises to be a thriller in the capital.

There are nine changes to the Cardiff South side, following their defeat to Scarlets East last week.

Blessing Kilonda and Charlie Morgan Stephens return to the back three, joining full back Ben Roberts, while Iestyn Hutchings and Gethin O’Callaghan continue their midfield partnership.

Having led Cardiff Schools to Dewar Shield glory last week, Owain Paskell and Lloyd Lucas are reintroduced at half back.

James Steel and Reuben Cummings come into the front row, with Luke Caple and captain Luke Jones the other changes amongst the pack.

The visitors, Cardiff North, have made four changes to their team after a convincing 34-5 win over Ospreys East.

Wing Morgan Stephens is the only change made to the backline, as the likes of Kodie Stone, Tom Bowen, Steffan Emanuel and Caden Thomas aim to continue to impress.

The front five remains unchanged from the clash at The Wern last week, but a new-look back row sees Calum Jones, Mason Davies and Rhys Emmott given the nod to start.

Looking ahead to the encounter, academy manager, Gruff Rees, said: “It’s been a pleasing block but for us it’s always about trying to see the bigger picture.

“This is an exciting group and it’s nice that we’ve got to this point, because unfortunately last year’s 16s didn’t get those opportunities. It was more internal, without a proper competition.

“But we are catching up with this group in particular, and both coaching groups are playing a similar way in terms of the type of messaging we want. We want to see a game where players see space and attack that space.

“It will be interesting to see them against each other, there are a lot of interesting match-ups between guys who have impressed during this block. But the important thing for us will be to bring them together at the end and get them to realise that we’re all representing one Cardiff entity.

“The pathway is there for them to progress if they’re good enough, especially with under-17s rugby introduced. There’s plenty of good stuff going on around the region and we want to get to know these players better over the next couple of years.

“We’ve always emphasised at age grade level that winning is not the be-all and end-all. It’s about learning, having a rigorous talent identification programme and getting to know where these boys are at – not only around the x factor stuff but also what they’re like as people, where their motivations lie, what are their education needs and trying to support that as a long-term project.

“It’s going to be exciting. There’s plenty of pace on the field, which is important for us to develop over the next few years.

“In terms of my role, I’m really intrigued to look at the props and second rows we’re developing. Those areas in particular, when selecting age group sides, become paramount to what we’re doing.”

Cardiff South: Ben Roberts; Blessing Kilonda, Iestyn Hutchings, Gethin O’Callaghan, Charlie Morgan Stephens; Lloyd Lucas, Owain Paskell; James Steel, Reuben Cummings, Isaac Godfrey, Luke Caple, Jaden Wilkins, John Baldwin, Harrison Cooksey, Luke Jones

Replacements: Jac Saunders, Robert Brew Davies, James Sprud, Mike Davies, Matthew Bridge, Sion Davies, Dewi Thomas, Osian Darwin Lewis

Cardiff North: Kodie Stone; Caden Thomas, Tom Bowen, Steffan Emanuel, Morgan Stephens; Tom Hughes, Josh Pearce; Jayden Meade, Charlie Manship, Sam Scott, Ollie Rose, Dylan McDonald, Calum Jones, Mason Davies, Rhys Emmott

Replacements: Shae Mogford, Taylor Burnett, Noah Phillips, Sol Hadley, Jacob Greene, Iestyn Evans, Sam Talbot, Peter Richmond

(Picture Credit: Riley Sports Photography)