Scarlets’ Academy players are back in action this week with their first appearance in the RFU Academy Festival at Malvern College.
The festival sees the English Premiership club academies and the four Welsh professional sides showcase their stars of the future in round-robin fixtures.
In matches of 20-minute halves on Monday, Scarlets U18s produced some impressive rugby to beat Bristol Bears two tries to one before drawing three tries apiece with Newcastle Falcons in another entertaining clash.
On Tuesday, the U17s play 30-minute matches against Bristol, Exeter Chiefs and Bath.
Next month sees the Academy compete in seven fixtures, including regional age-grade U18s matches against the Ospreys, Dragons, Cardiff and North Walians RGC.
The U18s kick off their home campaign at New Dock Stars RFC when they take on Leinster on Monday, August 4. The Scarlets beat the Irish province in an entertaining clash at the same ground last season.
On Wednesday, August 6, the U17s take on Ealing Trailfinders, again at New Dock Stars.
The U18s’ RAG challenge begins on August 17 with a derby against the Ospreys at Tenby RFC.
They take on RGC in Colwyn Bay the following week (Aug 23), host Cariff at a venue and date to be confirmed on September 6/7 then face the Dragons at Ystrad Mynach on September 14.
The U17s are also in action against the Dragons at Ystrad Mynach on Wednesday, August 20.
Academy Fixtures (kick-off times to be confirmed)
Mon, July 28 – Malvern Festival U18s
Tues, July 29 – Malvern Festival U17s
Mon, Aug 4 – U18s v Leinster Rugby (New Dock Stars RFC)
Wed, Aug 6 – U17s v Ealing Trailfinders (New Dock Stars RFC)
Sun, Aug 17 – U18s v Ospreys (RAG; Tenby RFC)
Wed, Aug 20 – U17s v Dragons RFC (Ystrad Mynach)
Sat, Aug 23 – U18s v RGC (RAG, Colwyn Bay RFC)
Sat/Sun Sept 6/7 – U18s v Cardiff Rugby (RAG; venue tbc)
Sun, Sept 14 – U18s v Dragons RFC (RAG; Ystad Mynach)