Scarlets hand exciting opportunities to wider squad for LV= Cup clash with Sale Sharks

The Scarlets will bring a new look to their starting line-up this weekend for their LV=Cup third round clash against Sale with the foundation of experienced Scarlets players mixed with wider young talent from across the region.

With 26 of their squad not available for selection through injury or management and international duty at senior, Wales U20 and Wales 7’s levels; the Scarlets will give opportunities to some new faces from the region eager to step up and show their potential in a Scarlets shirt.

Exciting young outside half Owen Williams, 20, who has impressed for Premiership feeder club partner Llanelli RFC this season particularly in controlling the club’s last two victories over Gala and Moseley (23 points in two games) gets his opportunity with experienced and versatile Scarlets back Gareth Owen moving to full-back for the fixture.

It’s a first start for back-row Lewis Rawlins (see biog below) and a fresh opportunity for another Llanelli RFC back row forward, Duane Eager as well as young star of the U20 Wales World Cup Prop Rob Evans on the bench along with 21-year-old wing Dale Ford.

Experienced centre Gareth Maule captains the team alongside Adam Warren in centre partnership who put in impressive performances for the region last season and had a starring role in the Scarlets’ clash against Clermont last weekend.

Scarlets Team v Sale Sharks Saturday 26th January 3pm; 15 Gareth Owen 14 Kristian Phillips, 13 Gareth Maule (capt), 12 Adam Warren, 11 Andy Fenby, 10 Owen Williams, 9 Gareth Davies, 1 Rhodri Jones, 2 Emyr Phillips, 3 Deacon Manu, 4 Jake Ball, 5 Johan Synman, 6 Lewis Rawlins, 7 Duane Eager, 8 Kieran Murphy

Replacements: Kirby Myhill, Rob Evans, Peter Edwards, Richard Kelly, Tomas Vallejos, Aled Davies, Nick Reynolds, Dale Ford.

Scarlets Head Coach Simon Easterby said: “We have two big fixtures ahead of us with Sale and then Leicester Tigers at home next Sunday afternoon and these will be very physical games. It will be a platform for many of the players getting their opportunities in a Scarlets shirt to show how well they can perform.

“It’s very important that we invest in and support building depth in our squad and give real opportunity to those players now who are working hard week-in-week out within the squad and performing for our Premiership teams.

“There’s a fresh approach to selection in these two LV=Cup games and a big focus for us will be to try and play a bit more and make sure we do not feed the opposition too much which is what has let us down recently.

“There are some exciting young players in our squad for Sale this week and we’ll see a number of the less well-known but promising and ambitious Scarlets making a mark for themselves in our squad. Building that experience and giving game time to our wider squad players will only be good thing for our region.

“Sale will be looking to put in a big performance in front of their home crowd after recent weeks and pitting ourselves against two big English Premiership sides will be a challenge our players and supporters will really look forward to.”

The Scarlets are without 13 of their squad who are on international duty, with the following players unavailable through injury:

• Jordan Williams (shoulder)
• Rhys Priestland (Achilles)
• Johnathan Edwards (hamstring)
• Dan Newton (groin)
• Joel Galley (ribs)
• Rob McCusker (sinus fracture)
• Samson Lee (illness)
• George Earle (shoulder bruising)
• Craig Price (knee)
• Dan Thomas (shoulder)
• Sione Timani (neck)
• Aled Thomas, Jacobie Adriaanse and Phil John are rested for this game.

Biogs

OWEN WILLIAMS

• DOB: 27th February 1992
• Birthplace: Neath
• Height: 1.83 (6”0)
• Weight: 91kg (14st 4lb)
• Position: Outside half
• Clubs: Llanelli, Scarlets, Wales U20

Williams an outside half, born in Neath. Educated at Ystalyfera Comprehensive School, Williams played rugby for Ystradgynlais, Ospreys under-16 and Ospreys under-18 before joining the Scarlets in 2010. He made his senior debut for the Scarlets in an LV Cup match against the Dragons in February 2011, playing all 80 minutes. Williams has represented Wales at under-20 level and was a member of the squad that finished 3rd in the 2012 IRB Junior world Championships in South Africa.

He has played 47 games in three seasons with Llanelli RFC with 308 points to his name 7 tries, 54 conversions and 55 penalties.

DUANE EAGER

• DOB: 17th February 1988
• Birthplace: Swansea
• Height: 1.88 m (6′ 2″)
• Weight: 90kg (14st 2lb)
• Position: Back Row
• Club: Llanelli/Scarlets

Born and raised in Swansea, 24-year-old Duane Eager was educated at Cefn Hengoed Comprehensive School and played all of his junior rugby for Bonymaen RFC before joining Llanelli. He made his Llanelli RFC debut away to Aberavon 2008-09 season. The following season he earned a regular place in the starting line-up with 32 appearances and three tries.

He is an electrician by trade and has made 115 appearances for Llanelli over the past 5 season, scoring 7 tries in total. He scored a brace of tries in Llanelli RFC’s British & Irish Cup against Gala, a game in which he captained the side to a bonus point victory, and added another in their win against Moseley last weekend.

Eager has also made one appearance for the Scarlets, as a replacement during an LV=Cup match away to the Dragons in February 2011.

LEWIS RAWLINS

• DOB: 13th April 1990
• Birthplace: Caerphilly
• Height: 198cm (6’ 5”)
• Weight: 104kg (16st 5lbs)
• Position: Lock
• Club: Llanelli

Lock Lewis Rawlins joined Llanelli RFC for 2012-13 season after an impressive first season at Pandy Park with Cross Keys. Rawlins’ early rugby was played at Caerphilly RFC and he’s gone on to play 13 games for Llanelli RFC since his arrival in 2012 making an impression with consistent solid all round performances.