Scarlets name team for final home friendly of the pre-season

Scarlets name team for final home pre-season friendly

The Scarlets will play their final friendly of their pre-season against Exeter Chiefs at Parc y Scarlets tomorrow (Friday 27^thAugust kick-off 7pm) with a number of the region’s up and coming internationals returning to the match day squad.

The home game will be a tribute testimonial to long-serving Scarlets lock, Vernon Cooper. The 33-year old from Swansea who has earned three international caps, has played a staggering 353 games for the Scarlets over 14 seasons and captained the side a number of occasions including as a stand-in for an injured Lee Davies in 2003/04 season when the Scarlets were Celtic League Champions.

Welcoming the newly promoted West of England club, Head Coach Nigel Davies says Friday night’s match would provide the Scarlets players with a final test ahead of selection for their first Magners League encounter – just over a week away against Italian club Benetton Treviso (Saturday 4^thSeptember).

On the back of a solid six try 43-14 home victory against Worcester Warriors last Saturday, Davies says he wants to see his side push forward from last week’s performance.

Davies said: “There were a number of good performances last weekend and many have retained their starting positions as a result of their commitment last week.  We have some good variety on the bench as well, but the guys know there are no guarantees at the moment. 

“We are building some strength in depth within this squad which can now be seen in the competition for places across the field – it’s a much healthier position for us to be in and adds a real edge to our training and preparation for matches.

“The players know this is a crucial game in the selection process for the first game of the season away at Treviso, so it will be good to see how they all go.”

And one Scarlet who knows a little about the opposition is flanker Richie Pugh who is named on the Scarlets 10-man bench for Friday night. Pugh, a member of the World Cup winning Wales sevens squad spent the 2008/2009 season with the Chiefs where he said he benefited from an intense season and a lot of game time.

On Exeter Chiefs, Davies said:  “They are a strong team and a big side, and in some ways it’s good preparation for us as they will be similar in parts of their game to the Italians.  They have some they have quality and are a very structured team.  They’ve made some good signings and did well to win promotion to the Premiership against Bristol in May.”

David Lyons, captains the Scarlets in the absence of newly appointed captain Matthew Rees and vice-captain Stephen Jones. Recently capped Tavis Knoyle returns to start at scrum-half and Rhys Thomas starts at tight-head.

Wales’ summer tour internationals Ken Owens, Rob McCusker and Jon Davies are all named on the bench in a line-up that gives the Scarlets plenty of options.

Team selection Scarlets – starting XV will be:  Morgan Stoddart, Joe Ajuwa, Gareth Maule, Regan King, Rhys Priestland, George North, Tavis Knoyle, David Lyons (capt), Josh Turnbull, Johnathan Edwards, Damien Welch, Lou Reed, Rhys Thomas, Emyr Philips, Iestyn Thomas.

Replacements:  Rob McCusker, Gareth Davies, Daniel Evans, Jon Davies, Andy Fenby, Deacon Manu, Ken Owens, Dominic Day, Vernon Cooper, Richie Pugh. 

The majority of Exeter Chiefs first team squad were given their first taste of pre-season action by Head Coach Rob Baxter during last weekend’s double-header against Cardiff Blues and Cornish Pirates at Sandy Park.  The Chiefs beat Cornish Pirates 22-14 but narrowly went down to Cardiff Blues 26-21 the previous day.