Scarlets welcome return of Regan King
Dyddiad/Date: Thursday 4th February 2010
Cyhoeddwyd ar ran y Scarlets/Issued on behalf of Scarlets
Scarlets supporters have the eagerly-awaited return of star Kiwi centre Regan King to look forward to this Saturday afternoon at Parc y Scarlets as the region takes on the Cardiff Blues for a place in the semi-final of the LV=Cup (KO 3pm Parc y Scarlets).
The Scarlets remain unbeaten in the LV= Cup - firmly sitting at the top of Top Pool Two with 11 points and will be looking to secure their place in the last four with a win over Cardiff Blues.
And this weekend's Welsh derby game will be the first time that 29-year-old Regan King has stepped out in a Scarlets shirt at his home ground for nearly a year, following a serious hamstring injury when playing against Leinster in the Magners League in February last year.
The quick-footed and elusive centre, renowned in Europe for his vision, speed and agility is looking forward to getting back onto the pitch but admits he has a few nerves.
He said: "It will be great to get back out there again, and in front of our home crowd. The Scarlets supporters are some of the most passionate, they love their rugby and it's great to have that behind you at times like this.
"Of course I'll have a few nerves because it's been such a long time since I played but the run out against Wasps was good and I'm just really looking forward to getting out there again and playing rugby."
King, who is a big favourite with the Scarlets faithful, warned people not to expect a great deal to start with.
"I'm just coming back and it will take some time, but the best thing is that I'm fit and can only improve from now on and will get better the more I play.
"It's been a very difficult time, mentally to keep myself going with such a long gap and the medical and conditioning team at the Scarlets have been really patient with me and done great work to get me back to fitness now from what was a really serious injury."
And King says that it's a great time to be back at the Scarlets with his team in confident mood after four successive victories, and with the chance of a win on Saturday not only adding to the region's feel-good factor, but also securing a home tie in the semi-finals of the Anglo-Welsh competition.
"The boys are on a high at the moment. I have been at the club five years now and don't know if we have ever won four on the bounce," he added. "We have put ourselves in a great position in this tournament and are going all out for a win against the Blues. We have to get a result.
"It's been great to see the younger Scarlets players putting in such strong performances and it makes it more competitive for places in the team which is a good thing all round."
Head Coach Nigel Davies, who names his Scarlets team tomorrow (Fri) said the coaching team had told Regan not to try too hard and just 'go out and play'.
"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.
"It will be a boost for everyone to see him back on the field and no doubt he'll get a great reception from our supporters as he runs out."
Davies said the Scarlets were treating their game like a cup quarter-final.
He said: "We have done three quarters of the job now, and we have to finish it off with a big result against the Blues at Parc y Scarlets on Saturday afternoon. They have to win too, so it will be quite a game.
"Sometimes it's more difficult to play against opposition you know well, but we have a good chance. We have put ourselves in a great position but now have to focus on getting a win at all costs as it could bring us a home semi-final which would be great for everyone involved in the region."
And the excitement in West Wales on Saturday afternoon will be continued post match as Parc y Scarlets opens up to Six Nations fever with big screen showings of the Wales V England game at 5pm being staged around the Scarlets' stadium complex - so supporters can enjoy an entertaining Saturday rugby double bill.
Regan King:
Born: 2/10/80
Origin: New Zealand - British-born father.
All Blacks: First and only international test 2002 against Wales at Millennium stadium.
Previous clubs: The Chiefs, NZ. Signed by Stade Francais in November 2004. After six months moved to the Scarlets in summer 2005 where he is contracted until 2011. Scarlets appearances: 106. Scarlets points: 150
