For the benefit of our antipodean colleagues reading this post it was Cardiff Blues Select XV. Checked match day starting XV and they are all listed in Blues squad with Sam Warburton etc and I don't think any of those players are semi professional but happy to be corrected.
My understanding is that this season Welsh Regions are using British & Irish Cup to give younger squad players experience of a higher standard of rugby than Welsh Premiership.
You are wron in your understanding.
Some of these players are an academy contracts which are indeed "full time" but are more apprentice level that full. Others are in the wider "back up" squads. Made of a players who have little realistic chance to achieve full pro status and who go to their day jobs the rest of the time.
I believe it varies by 'Select XV' and not all follow the Blues. The Dragons cast their net a little wider.
I'm not too sure what that means . The second comment displays a total lack of knowledge of the Welsh scene sorry.
Ok let's explain it:
The Welsh sides in the B&I are selections from the Premiership sides within each region.
The Newport "region" calls on players from: The Semi pro premiership sides of Newport, Cross Keys, Ebbw Vale and Bedwas.
The Cardiff "region" calles on players from: Pontypridd and Cardiff's premiership sides.
The Ospreys "region" calls on players from: Swansea, Bridgend, Neath and Aberavon's Sides in the Semi pro Premiership.
The Scarlets "region" calls on players from: Carmarthen Quins, Llandovery and Llanelli's preremiership teams.
All the above are, as stated semi pro.
The net is cast over the premiership sides in each region no wider or narrower than that.
Some of these players are an academy contracts which are indeed "full time" but are more apprentice level that full.
Of course being a committee man with a Welsh Premiership side, what do I know about the make up?