Scarlets set to test Ulster
Thu, 04 Dec 2008 19:09
Scarlets coach Nigel Davies is demanding a big performance from his squad this weekend. They travel to Belfast for a Friday night contest against Ulster, looking to keep alive their Heineken Cup hopes. And Davies is confident that his players will do their utmost to return to Parc y Scarlets with a crucial win.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday Davies said: "Friday’s game is a massive one for us. We’re not where we want to be in Europe at this stage but I don’t think it’s completely over for us.
"If we can go to Belfast and get a result then that puts us in a position where we can look forward to two back-to-back home games.
"So, if we get a result in Belfast, then who knows? There’s no doubt we’ve got to put in a big performance on Friday; we’re a very proud team and we’re not going to hide from putting in that performance. We’ll fight all the way.” His squad includes four Wales players fresh from beating Australia at the Millennium Stadium – Dafydd Jones, Mark Jones, Stephen Jones and Matthew Rees. Also back in the fold is new Wales scrumhalf Martin Roberts and Wales fullback Morgan Stoddart.
Davies said: "“It’s great to have them back. They’ve returned buoyed by last weekend’s success and they’re our most experienced, talented players so to have them all back in the group is brilliant. They’ve added a lot to everything we’ve done this week."
Scarlets long-term injuries include Kees Meeuws, Gavin Thomas and Rob Higgitt, with shorter-term difficulties for stars such as Gavin Evans, Simon Maling and Darren Daniel.
Scott MacLeod was not considered for this weekend as he works to overcome a recent long lay-off.
Davies said: “We’ve not got much fully fit cover behind the scrum at the moment but we’ve still been able to put out a very team."
With thanks to www.scarlets.co.uk
Ulster: 15 Bryn Cunningham, 14 Simon Danielli, 13 Darren Cave, 12 Paddy Wallace, 11 Andrew Trimble, 10 Ian Humphreys, 9 Cillian Willis, 8 Robbie Diack, 7 David Pollock, 6 Stephen Ferris, 5 Ryan Caldwell, 4 Ed O'Donoghue, 3 BJ Botha, 2 Rory Best (captain), 1 Justin Fitzpatrick,
Replacements: 16 Nigel Brady, 17 Tom Court, 18 Matt McCullough, 19 Kieron Dawson, 20 Isaac Boss, 21 Paul Steinmetz, 22 Mark McCrea,
Scarlets: 15 Morgan Stoddart, 14 Ceiron Thomas, 13 Regan King, 12 Jon Davies, 11 Mark Jones, 10 Stephen Jones, 9 Martin Roberts, 8 David Lyons, 7 Simon Easterby (captain), 6 Dafydd Jones, 5 Dominic Day, 4 Vernon Cooper, 3 Deacon Manu, 2 Matthew Rees, 1 Iestyn Thomas,
Replacements: 16 Ken Owens, 17 Phil John, 18 Nathan Thomas, 19 Jon Edwards, 20 Gavin Cattle, 21 Rhys Priestland, 22
Lee Williams,
Date: Friday, December 5
Venue: Ravenhill
Kick-off: 20:00 GMT
Referee: Andrew Small (England)
Touch judges: David Rose (England), Rob Mullis (England)
TMO: Brian Campsall (England)
