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Cardiff City host arch rivals Swansea City in the Welsh Youth Cup final at 7pm at the Cardiff City Stadium on Thursday in the most eagerly anticipated South Wales derby of the season.

The Swans, who have won the Welsh Youth Cup for the last five seasons, are going to Cardiff City Stadium with their loyal band of supporters, intent on keeping the cup at the west end of the M4.

The Bluebirds, who have been beaten twice by the Swans in the under 18 league this season, will be desperate to claim the trophy they haven't won since 2006, a period which includes a four-year absence from the competition between 2009 and 2013.

Even though the likes of Aaron Ramsey, Joe Ledley, Chris Gunter and Adam Matthews have all graduated from the academy system, they never won the Welsh Cup, so the pressure is on for the class of 2015.

Joe Allen, who is Swansea's biggest name graduate, has had his hands on the famous old trophy however, winning it at Ninian Park in 2008, the last time the two clubs met in the final.

If any extra spice was needed for this contest, both proud clubs have won the Cup eight times and are tied as the most successful in the competition's history.

So, let's take a look at the players of the future and see who will contest the final on Thursday night.

Remember the faces, they could be household names one day...

Time to meet the teams

Pictures: Swansea City's stars of the future

Lewis Thomas: Goalkeeper

A Welsh international U18 regular, who has played a lot for the Swansea U18s this season.

Gareth Owen: Goalkeeper

The ex Sheffield United keeper has played in every round of the Welsh Cup.

Joe Rodon: Centre Back / Right Back

The first year scholar has had a good season in the under 19s and under 21s this season and is a Welsh international.

Keston Davies: Centre Back

This year's U18 captain, Davies is a competitive centre back with leadership skills who has been offered a year's pro contract.

Aaron Lewis: Centre Back / Centre Midfield

A Welsh international who has been a constant in the U18s this season who is comfortable in possession and has recently made his debut for the U21s.

Cai Owens: Left / Right Back

A versatile defender who is good in the air and happy to join in further upfield.

Cameron Gilchrist: Centre Back

A positionally sound defender who was signed as an u16 from Leicester City.

Tom Atyeo: Centre Back

A left footed central defender who is strong in the air.

Dylan Thomas: Centre Midfield

A competitive midfielder who has good distribution and recently started for Wales Under 19.

Adnan Maric: Centre Midfield

In his first season at club after arriving from Sweden, has proved himself to be a physically strong player who does a lot of work.

Tom Dyson: Centre Midfield

The first year central midfielder has proved himself to be a quality player.

Jack Evans: Centre Midfield

A first year scholar who is very comfortable in possession.

Stephen Fallon: Right Wing

The Irish international winger has played for the Swans at U19 and U21 level and has earned a pro contract.

Kyle Copp: Attacking Midfield

Has been at the club from a young age and is a forward thinking player who loves to score goals. He is happiest behind the striker and effective further forward. He has played for the U21s and earned a pro contract.

Owain Jones: Striker

A two-footed striker who has scored lots of goals at U18 level and been a regular for the Swans at U21. The exciting prospect has recently got the call from Geraint Williams for the Wales U21 team.

Alex Samuel: Striker

A strong frontman who likes to play with his back to goal. His biggest strength is linking play.

Brandon Griffiths: Striker

Joined club as and under 15 and is now a first year scholar who loves to score goals.

Route to the final

Bow Street 14-0

Haverfordwest County 3-1

Quarter-final: Airbus UK 2-0

Semi-final: Bala Town 7-0

Coach Gary Richards' verdict

"We are looking forward to the game. We've beaten Cardiff twice in the league but this is the cup final.

"We're the holders and we've won it for the last five years so we want to keep hold of the cup.

"We will be taking quite a few fans down to Cardiff so we're hoping for a big crowd and a really good atmosphere."

The Cardiff City Cup final squad

Pictures: Meet the Cardiff stars of the future

Joe Massaro (gk)

Highly rated keeper who is on a long-term contract. Corpus Christi High School pupil and a Wales junior international.

Ashley Baker

Wales u-19 international, signed for Cardiff at under-14 level. Bridgend-born defender, aged 18, in second year of his scholarship deal. Earned Apprentice of the Year award for sporting excellence at Quality Skills Alliance presentations.

Dylan Rees

Right-sided defender. Hails from Tenby. Joined Cardiff’s Academy at eight-years-old. Former Haverfordwest County junior player.

Rollin Menayese

Central defender, 17-year-old twin brother of team-mate Elvis. St Joseph’s RC School, Cardiff pupil. Big, powerful player who has solid technical ability with ball at his feet. Wales u-16/u-17 international.

Sam Williams

Defender, aged 17, who joined Cardiff City after leaving Aldershot Town when they closed their Academy two years ago. Attended Tomlinscote School, Surrey. Former midfield player who is comfortable in possession, while he can play off either foot. Part of Wales’ u-16 Victory Shield squad in 2013-14.

Elvis Menayese

Quick, strong, aggressive centre-forward. Was top scorer for City’s under-16 team last season and made a big impact at the higher age level. Two-way forward who gets back to defend. Twin brother of team-mate Rollin.

Lloyd Humphries

Central midfield player with a fantastic range of passing. Dwr y Felin Comprehensive School, Neath pupil. Loves to get forward and has shown tremendous personal character in fighting back to full fitness after a cruciate ligament injury two years ago.

Eli Phipps

Prolific goalscorer who has been with City’s Academy for 10 years. Mountain Ash Comprehensive School pupil.

Jamie Veale

Merthyr Tyfil-born midfield player who has been with Cardiff since u-10 level. Perceptive passer who can play in the hole behind forwards.

Watch: Cardiff City Welsh youth cup semi-final win over Newport County

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Jake Watkins

Newport-born centre-forward who first joined Cardiff six years ago. Newbridge School pupil.

Jamie Bird

Signed apprenticeship deal early, at age of 15, having first joined the club at eight-years-old. Forward who has pace and good technique.

Robbie Patten

Central midfield player who has been in excellent form. An 18-year-old who has been in Cardiff’s youth Academy for more than 10 years and is a regular at the heart of the youth team.

Abdi Noor

Cardiff-born winger/forward, aged 18. Signed for his home city club six years ago. Wales u-19 international.

Shane Parry

Merthyr Tydfil-born defender. Afon Taf High School pupil. Capped by Wales at u-16/u-17 levels.

Jazzi Barnum-Bobb

Full-back with first team League Cup experience. Aged 19, signed in summer 2014 after completing two-year apprenticeship at Watford. Right-sided defender.

Tyler Roche

Bridgend-born wide midfield player who has quick feet and pace.

Ben Watkins

Midfield player who has shone for Cardiff’s u-18 team this season. Tenacious, determined ball-winner who stepped up to u-21 football this season.

Tom James

Celebrated his 19th birthday this month. Defender from Taffs Well who played Premier League football last season when he went on as a substitute against Chelsea in the final magch. First joined City at u-9 level. Comfortable in either full-back position and at centre-half.

Curtis Watkins

Central-defender, aged 19. Wales u-16/u-17/u-19 international. He enjoyed the physical challenge of stepping up to u-21 development football this season.

Will Taylor

Cardiff-born midfield player who joined the Bluebirds’ youth Academy only three years ago, but has made strong progress. Determined competitor who has a strong will to win.

Route to the final

Merthyr Town 8-1

Cambrian and Clydach 4-1

Carmarthen Town 7-0

Quarter-final:The New Saints 0-0 (after extra time, Bluebirds won 5-3 on penalties)

Semi-final: Newport County 1-1 (after extra time, the Bluebirds won 5-3 on penalties)

Coach Jarred Harvey's verdict

“There are an awful lot of talented lads at this club and I feel strongly about that.”

“We lost against Swansea at Christmas and that wasn’t a good performance from our lads. We were much better in the return, but lost to a late goal.

“The players learned a lot from those matches. We went into both fixtures with confidence, but did not win either of them.

“This cup final is another big test, but we are ready for the challenge.”

*Tickets are available on the night (Thursday April 30, 7pm kick-off) at the Cardiff City Stadium for those who wish to come and watch. Adults admission is priced at £4, with children’s tickets available for just £1.