Scarlets name team to face London Wasps on Saturday
Dyddiad/Date: Friday 29th January 2010
Cyhoeddwyd ar ran y Scarlets/Issued on behalf of Scarlets
British Lions and Wales hooker Matthew Rees starts for the Scarlets against London Wasps this weekend, after being released by Wales to build up game time before the start of the Six Nations, following his return from injury.
With the Scarlets without their internationals - Stephen Jones, Jonathan Davies, Martin Roberts who joined Wales this week and wing/centre Sean Lamont up in Scotland, the West Wales region is looking to its impressive crop of talented younger players to deliver a win against a strong London Wasps line-up at Adams Park on Saturday afternoon.
The Scarlets, like Wasps are unbeaten in the LV=Cup and both sides top their pools after two rounds. In what promises to be a keenly contested match, both sides have everything to play for in their bid to get to the latter stages of the competition - with the champion being guaranteed a place in next season's Heineken Cup.
The Scarlets have recently hit a rich vein of form, having won their last three matches back-to-back and will be looking to retain their winning ways. The Scarlets currently lead their LV= Cup pool with seven points after a win over Worcester and a hard-fought draw away at Harlequins. Wasps lead their group on eight points after two decisive wins over London Irish and the Dragons.
Scarlets Head Coach Nigel Davies has chosen to rest some key Scarlets players following a packed rugby schedule in December and early January including current captain and no 8 stalwart David Lyons and hooker Ken Owens.
But the long-awaited return to the Scarlets squad of star centre Regan King, who is named on the bench this Saturday, will be a welcome boost to the rugby region and its supporters.
King suffered a serious hamstring injury in March last year and has been out for close to 11 months. The quick-footed and elusive centre, renowned in Europe for his vision, speed and agility is looking forward to getting back onto the field, however the Scarlets Head Coach said it will take time before Regan performs back at his top level.
Davies said: "It's great for us to see Regan back and fit again but we have to recognise and respect just how long he's been out, so we are not expecting a great deal from him in these early games."
North Wales centre Rob Higgitt, 28, is handed the captaincy another LV= Cup game, following his performance leading a youthful Scarlets' side to an impressive 15-15 draw against Harlequins in the competition in early November last year. 19-year-old scrum-half Tavis Knoyle returns from injury to start.
Head Coach Nigel Davies said: "We have brought back a lot of players who haven't played since the last round of LV= Cup games. They played particularly well during that phase of our season and certainly gave us a lift at that time. A number of these players have been itching for another opportunity and will be really up for this game.
"There has been a good energy in this group at the moment, and the younger players shown real character in the last three games. They've taken a lot out of it as individuals and they have contributed a lot to get us in a better position.
"Wasps have lost key players on international duty, but having said that their team will be still be very strong - particularly behind the scrum and it will be a very physical game.
"We expect them to be very competitive, they're a very aggressive group and they look to dominate teams. The physicality of it will be evident and that is the first thing we have to go out and do - to match them physically.
"We knew that would be the case out in Brive last weekend and our pack of forwards fronted up very well. If we give that same level of commitment and endeavour then we give ourselves a chance."
Scarlets selection v London Wasps; LV= Cup Saturday 30th January 2010 (KO 1745) at Adams Park.
15 Daniel Evans, 14 Lee Williams, 13 Gareth Maule, 12 Rob Higgitt (captain), 11 Andy Fenby, 10 Rhys Priestland, 9 Tavis Knoyle, 1 Phil John, 2 Matthew Rees, 3 Deacon Manu, 4 Lou Reed, 5 Damian Welch, 6 Rob McCusker, 7Johnathan Edwards, 8 Josh Turnbull
Replacements: 16 Iestyn Thomas, 17 Emyr Phillips, 18 Rhys Thomas, 19 Vernon Cooper, 20 Richie Pugh, 21 Daniel Newton, 22 Regan King 23 Joe Ajuwa.
