The BUCS Super Rugby tournament kicks off next week, with some mouth-watering Welsh clashes to get the competition under way.
The tournament represents the highest level of university rugby union, with 10 teams competing to be crowned champions. Three of those are Welsh - with Cardiff Met, Swansea University and Cardiff University flying the flag.
The campaign kicks off on Wednesday as Cardiff Met travel to St Helen's as they seek to avenge last year's shock defeat to Swansea. The following week, it's a clash of the capital's universities as Cardiff University and Cardiff Met go head to head at the Arms Park.
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In recent years, BUCS rugby has become a solid proving ground for young players ready to take the next step to professional rugby. But who are the faces to keep an eye out for ahead of the new season?
We spoke to the coaches or directors of rugby from each of the Welsh sides to find out who could be the ones to watch...
Cardiff Met - by Danny Milton
"Joe Cowell played for Cardiff Rugby against Toulouse last year. He's a loose-head and our captain. Great kid.
"To turn down the opportunity to play Harlequins to make sure he played against Cardiff University at the Arms Park was his choice, and it was one that we weren't sure was the right one for him, but it was the one he wanted.
"That's how much the club means to him and I don't think we'd have squeezed over the line if he wasn't playing. He's definitely one to watch.
"Second-row Barney Langton-Cryer coming through into his final years of studies is probably one of most rugby intelligent players. If he can get a bit of size on him as a second-row, he's got a future.
"Behind the scrum, Bingo Ivanisevic from South Africa has really knuckled down this year and looks like he's going to play a big part. Bradley Roderick-Evans was our goal-kicker last year and Roma Zheng on the wing has had a lot of coverage. It'll be interesting to see how he goes.
"Perhaps a sneaky one if he can start to regain some of last year's form is Steff Davies. He didn't come through any of the regional age-group teams and he's definitely one to keep an eye on."
Swansea University - by Hugh Gustafson
"Captain Ben Gregory, he came to us from Llandovery College. He's a Dunvant boy but his family live in Dubai. He capped last year. He's not involved in any academy so that's just from working hard in BUCS.
"He can cover six and second-row. You just think about characters and testament. He's our captain and he leads by example. He doesn't shout or scream. He just does his job.
"He goes through his exams with flying colours. Always does recovery on a Thursday. He's a proper leading-by-example player.
"We've got Louis Fletcher who can play one, two and three. He's playing tight-head now. He's ex-Sale academy and he's backed himself a bit more recently. He's Welsh qualified and will hopefully push into U20s contention this year.
"There's Daf Land at scrum-half. He's doing his Masters this year and is an experienced semi-pro player with Llandovery. Nice little player.
"We've got Bradley Roderick new this year. He's a former Ospreys academy centre who has come across for Pontypridd. He turned down Brunel to come to Swansea as he feels it's an opportunity to play BUCS with a Welsh side.
"The big surprise we've got is Rory Case. He's not Welsh qualified, he's a 6ft 5in centre. He's an exciting player. He's not built as a sturdy 12, but he's more of a playmaking 13. He carries the ball in one hand. As an ex-prop, I enjoy watching him play!"
Cardiff University - by Alan Flower
"I would hope that Ben Roberts will kick on for us. He's down with the Ospreys at the moment. Another example of a player who didn't play any junior or academy rugby, he just played for a school in London.
"He came through and he's 6ft 8 and 98kg. We've got him up a little bit in terms of weight, but he's got a rugby brain. He's got rugby intelligence so hopefully he'll flourish at the Ospreys.
"Again, it's not just about looking after our own but trying to give them opportunities elsewhere. He's out with concussion at the minute but hopefully he'll push on.
"Our captain Luke Pollock is a little older now and will hopefully step up this year. He's studying physiotherapy.
"I would say my two back-rows. Greg Ramage is still there. He got in the BUCS team last year, but he won't play too much this year. He's doing medicine and it's a big year for him.
"We've had a good conversation and identified some games for him, but he'll be in and out depending on his placement. It's a big year for him, though.
"Depending how much access we get this year, I'd like to say Gwilym Evans will step up this year. He's a seven with Cardiff. I think he'll make Wales U20s this year so in a way I hope we don't see too much of him."
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