Owain Llyr Hywel will captain the Scarlets squad into the Academy U18 Championship, which kicks off on Sunday.
The Aberystwyth wing has been handed the reins for the eight-match campaign, which begins with a derby clash against the Ospreys at The Gnoll in Neath (2.30pm). Further fixtures in the opening block are against North Walians RGC (Llandovery RFC), Cardiff (Arms Park) and Dragons (Llandovery RFC).
Tom Phillips will again be U18s head coach, assisted by Rhodri Jones (backs), Euros Evans (forwards), Scott Williams (attack), Matthew Williams (defence), Llew Phillips-Taylor (strength & conditioning), Daniel Lewis (analysis) and Alun Jones, Chris Rooke, Steffan Jones, Ellis Price (attached).
Tom said: “Our preparations over the last couple of weeks have really gone well. Around 70 boys who have had game time for our U17s and U18s in competitive matches against Ulster, Dragons, Ealing and at the Malvern Festival. It is also great to welcome back into the group seven of our boys, who were with the Wales development squad in camp in Scotland last week.
“It has been a tough process reducing the squad for this championship because everyone has worked and trained hard throughout the summer.
“We have a talented group, including a number of younger players coming in this year who are all keen to learn and develop.
“If you look at the Scarlets senior squad and senior academy at the moment, a lot have come through from our U18s teams and regional pathways and I’m sure there are a number of players in this group who have a bright future ahead of them.
“We’re looking forward to an exciting start to the championship against the Ospreys on Sunday.”
Scarlets U18s squad
Backs – James Bentley (Dyffryn Amman, Amman Utd), Oscar Coslett Campbell (Aberaeron, Aberaeron RFC), Ifan Davies (Maes y Gwendraeth, Tumble RFC), Lloyd Davies (Hartpury College), Charlie Eatly (Strade, Burry Port RFC), Iago Evans (Henry Richards, Aberystwyth RFC), Will Harnett Jones (Llandovery College, Llandovery RFC), Rhys James (Bro Myrddin, Carmarthen Quins RFC), Tomos Jones (Bro Myrddin, St Clears RFC), Owain Llyr Hywel (capt; Hartpury College, Aberystwyth RFC), Cole Inker (Llandovery College, Llandeilo RFC), Macs Morgan (Bro Myrddin, Carmarthen Quins RFC), Llyr Morris (Strade, Burry Port RFC), Evan Rees (Dyffryn Amman, Tycroes RFC), Deio Thomas (Hartpury College, Newcastle Emlyn RFC), Steff Thomas, (Coleg Sir Gar, Llandeilo RFC), Dylan Williams (Llandovery College, Wimbledon RFC), Flynn Williams (Dyffryn Amman, Tycroes RFC).
Forwards – Sid Castree (Coleg Sir Gar, Narberth RFC), Jenson Cornelius (Greenhill, Tenby RFC), Steffan Davies (Aberaeron, Aberaeron RFC), Szymon Dominiak (Coedcae, Burry Port RFC), Jayden Duxberry (Strade, Burry Port RFC), Elis Evans (Bro Teifi, Newcastle Emlyn RFC), Ifan Gravell-Jones (Strade, Burry Port RFC), Wil Hobley (Llandovery College, Ebbw Vale RFC), Ryan Lanfear (Strade, Burry Port RFC), Ethan Lewis (CSG, Tenby RFC), Ben Morgan (Bro Myrddin, Carmarthen Quins RFC), Bobby Parr (Milford Haven, Haverfordwest RFC), Griff Rees (Dyffryn Amman, Amman Utd), Austin Sandford (Sedbergh, Aberystwyth RFC), Zac Slater (Dyffryn Amman, Tycroes RFC), Cai Soanes (Coleg Sir Gar, Carmarthen Quins RFC), Bobby Thomas (Cardigan, Newcastle Emlyn RFC), Dai Thomas (Dyffryn Amman, Amman Utd), Harvey Thomas (Llandovery College, Haverfordwest RFC), Ollie Tucker (Llandovery College, Tenby RFC), Bradley Williams (Greenhill, Tenby RFC), Ryan Williams (Llandovery College, St Clears RFC).
Injured – Dylan Cadwallader (Dyffryn Amman, Tycroes RFC), Gwion John Davies (Bro Teifi, Newcastle Emlyn RFC), Kelston Fairhurst (Coleg Sir Gar, Amman Utd RFC), Elliot Fouracre (St John Lloyd, Llanelli Wdrs RFC), Seb Harris (Bro Gwaun, Haverfordwest RFC), Spencer Odley (Llandovery College, Tenby RFC).
Fixtures (first block)
Sunday, August 16: Ospreys (Neath RFC; 2.30pm)
Sunday, August 23: RGC (Llandovery RFC; 2.30pm)
Sunday, August 6: Cardiff (Arms Park; 2.30pm)
Sunday, August 13: Dragons RFC (Llandovery RFC; 2.30pm)