"The competition has grown in strength over the three years and although we missed out on the under 18 trophy last season, we picked up the under 20 championship and produced a number of players for the senior regional squad," said Blues high performance manager Gafyn Cooper.

"You have to weigh up the importance of winning with the importance of producing top players. If we can achieve both it would be a job well done.

"Having said that, the other regions are in the same position and that's why the copetition gets tougher and tougher by the year."

In the other game this evening, last season's champions the Ospreys entertain the Dragons at Landarcy Academy.

The Blues North under 16s kick off next Wednesday with a game against the Scarlets at Narberth whilst the under 20s entertain the Scarlets in their opening game, at the Arms Park on September 12.

Dragons: J Steer; R Edwards, A Hughes, G Dudson, J Spear; D Watchurst, A Field, S Maguire, T Crandon, K Smith, J Thomas, C Howells, M Allen (capt)

Replacements: K Brown, C Attwell, M Webber, G Ogden, R Howells, J Flower, T James

Scarlets: L Rees; G Griffiths, A Pickersgill, C Phillips, T Boullivant; C Shingler, G Davies; T Davies, S Gardiner, L Lewis, L Kendall, H Boot, E Siggery, J Davies, S Phillips

Replacements: R Jenkins, G George, I Jones, R Williams, N Kavanagh, A Mashabane, N Bowen

Blues: J Loxton; J Davies, R Healy, L Brabon, S Matthews or D Hicks; J Deacon, T Rowlands (capt); K Perry, R Williams, M Lewis, K Evans, J George, G Davies, C Williams, G Legge

Replacements: I Davies, B Lee, G Capelin, M Rees, C Rees, D Gunter, I Smerdon

The Blues U16 south play Ospreys on Thursday at Pencoed College 3pm kick-off is a pre season friendly. The squad for the game is listed below and all players are to meet at 1.45pm at Pencoed College for a 3.00pm kick off. Dress Code for the squad is tracksuits before and after game. All Players within Blues Squad are to attend and watch the game if available

Backs S. CurtisJ. Lewis D. BirdA. Cooke T. Luck N. Gumbleton I. Mortimer A. Williams D. Evans F. White E. Jones J. Wilson R. Fenton D. Crimmins Reuben Forwards M. Savery

J. Tomlinson S. Tucker R. Davies L. Davies J. Deabrau J. Gape D. Rankmore J. Melhuish

T. Connolly D. Tummelty

The Blues Under 18's kick-off their Reebok campaign tomorrow (Wednesday 29 August) at Llandovry v Scarlets 7:15pm . The Blues North Under 16's play a Blues South development team at Sully RFC 6:30pm k.o. tomorrow (Wednesday 29 August).