Scarlets look to continue unbeaten run
Fri, 05 Feb 2010 18:06
Scarlets head coach Nigel Davies says Saturday's fixture against the Cardiff Blues at Parc y Scarlets will have the feeling of a cup quarterfinal for both teams as they eye up an LV= Cup semifinal place.
David Lyons returns to lead the side along with Ken Owens after the pair were rested last week. Morgan Stoddart has a groin injury and will be out for four weeks. Other Scarlets on the long-term injury list include senior internationals Simon Easterby, Dafydd Jones and captain Mark Jones.
Saturday's derby match sees the long-awaited return of Scarlets star centre Regan King who makes his first start after nearly a year out from injury.
The Scarlets are unbeaten in the LV= Cup having beaten Worcester, Wasps and drawn against Harlequins. The Scarlets go into the game having won their last four games back-to-back and lead their LV= Cup pool with eleven points.
"The way we are approaching this is very much like a quarterfinal, if we can win this game, it puts us in a strong position for a home semi-final," Davies told the club's official website.
"It is win at all costs - going into the Wasps game we said we still needed two wins in the last two games - this game is no different, the focus is on getting a result.
"The Blues have everything to play for too, we all want to win this competition particularly with both of us not having great Magners League form. The rivalry between these two regions will mean it will be a great game.
"The LV= Cup competition has been good for us because the quality of our group has risen this season because of the exposure that a lot of our younger players have had over the past 18 months.
"They are performing very well as we saw in first stage and last week in the and this adds competition and depth to the squad. The gap is much closer between those deemed as our first team players and the rest of the squad, which adds competition and a spark in training."
Scarlets: 15 Daniel Evans, 14 Lee Williams, 13 Gareth Maule, 12 Regan King 11 Andy Fenby, 10 Rhys Priestland, 9 Tavis Knoyle, 8 David Lyons (captain), 7 Josh Turnbull, 6 Rob McCusker, 5 Damian Welch, 4 Lou Reed, 3 Deacon Manu, 2 Ken Owens, 1 Phil John.
Replacements: 16 Iestyn Thomas, 17 Emyr Phillips, 18 Rhys Thomas, 19 Vernon Cooper, 20 Johnathan Edwards, 21 Martin Roberts, 22 Daniel Newton, 23 Joe Ajuwa.
Date: Saturday, February 6
Venue: Parc y Scarlets
Kick-off: 15.00
Referee: Greg Garner (England)