Scarlets to face Clermont this evening

The Scarlets’ second pre-season fixture of the summer against Clermont will see a return to the field for a number of more experienced performers with a strong pack ready for a tough encounter against the 2010 French Champions.

And with the prospect of coming up against the magic of their former Scarlets colleague Regan King in Clermont colours, the back line know they will have plenty on their hands.

The Scarlets have been turning up the temperature during an intense week at their French training camp running out in 30 degree heat and sun. A 32-man Scarlets squad made the journey to Issoire, based in the Auvergne region in the heart of France at the invitation and expense of the 2010 French champions for the showcase game against Clermont Auvergne on Friday night (19/08/11 kick off 7pm UK time).

The players have been tested mentally and physically during a series of training sessions and off field activities throughout the week which included a gruelling 4 hour kayaking endurance race in the heat yesterday (weds) after a full training session earlier in the day.

Hooker Ken Owens who put in a strong performance at Parc y Scarlets last weekend against Rotherham Titans has been flown out to join his Scarlets team mates after being released by Wales and is on the bench on Friday evening.

Back to the starting line-up comes a number of Scarlets senior team regulars including Iestyn Thomas who captains the side, Rhys Thomas, Ben Morgan, Rob McCusker and Johnathan Edwards. It follows the display of emerging talent at last weekend’s fixture from the group of new young Scarlets who sealed a 37-25 victory over Rotherham Titans at Parc y Scarlets.

Scarlets Head Coach Nigel Davies said: “As soon as we knew Ken wasn’t involved with Wales on Saturday we requested he was released to us – we’re obviously really pleased to have someone of his commitment and skill with us for this important pre-season fixture.

“It’s been an intense week of training in some hot conditions but the boys have worked hard this week and have been challenged physically and mentally. They’re now focused and concentrating on the game on Friday night.

“It’s been good to us to have had this week together in terms of gelling the whole team. Plus to have a game like this at the end of the week brings a sharp focus to what we set out to achieve this week in France.

“It will be real test for the players – coming up against a strong Clermont side on home soil will be a challenge. But it will be a good measure of where we are in our preparations for the new season and an illustration to these players of where they need to be.

“It’s a chance for a number of the boys to impress and with three weeks to go until the start of the competitive season another chance to stake a claim on the Scarlets jersey for the start of this season.”

Scarlets starting XV against Clermont, Friday August 19th kick off 8pm (local time) 15 Daniel Evans, 14 Lee Williams 13 Nick Reynolds 12 Aled Thomas 11 Andy Fenby, 10 Dan Newton 9 Rhodri Williams 8 Ben Morgan 7 Johnathan Edwards 6 Rob McCusker 5 Dominic Day 4 Lou Reed 3 Rhys Thomas 2 Emyr Phillips 1 Iestyn Thomas (Capt).

Replacements: Jordan Williams, Adam Warren, Iolo Evans, Chris Keenan, Lee Rees, Rhys Jones, Justin James, Phil John, Kirby Myhill, Simon Gardiner, Aaron Shingler, Ken Owens, Peter Edwards, Craig Price, Kieran Murphy.