Scarlets captain returns for Welsh derby clash at Parc y Scarlets

Scarlets club captain Rob McCusker will be back in the number eight shirt and leading his region in the opening round of the LV=Cup against the Newport Gwent Dragons at Parc y Scarlets on Friday evening.

McCusker who has been side lined for the past month with a calf injury will lead a Scarlets team that mixes senior experience with plenty of fresh new talent looking to take opportunities on the regional stage.

The Scarlets open their LV=Cup campaign with a big home draw against the Dragons (kick off 7.30pm) and with it the opportunity to settle scores after a nail-biting finish in their opening Welsh derby of the season at Rodney Parade.

Head Coach Simon Easterby has handed the number 10 jersey to Aled Thomas after a composed performance last weekend as replacement for the injured Steven Shingler – helping kick the Scarlets to a significant victory against a strong Ulster side.

In the back line, the strong centre partnership of Gareth Maule and Adam Warren will be hoping for better conditions than last weekend so they can get more ball, along with experienced full back Gareth Owen and bright young talent Jordan Williams and Llandovery’s Chris Knight on the wings.

Easterby opts to rest some of his pack after an intense and physical past six weeks in both their Heineken Cup and PRO12 league campaigns, with Phil John, Josh Turnbull, George Earle, Jake Ball and Samson Lee given a break from play this weekend.

The shake-up in selection hands opportunities for a group of wider Scarlets players eager to put in big performances for their region after working hard with their Premiership clubs. Fresh starts are handed to scrum half Aled Davies, props Shaun Hopkins and Rhodri Jones, second row Richard Kelly, and young back row talent Dan Thomas.

The bench carries a number of new Scarlets faces too including Llanelli RFC players Ben Leung and Josh Lewis, as well as sevens flier James Davies and Wales U20’s talent and Scarlets development players, second row Carwyn Jones and prop Gareth Thomas.

Players not available for selection through injury: Deacon Manu, prop (fractured arm), Steve Shingler, centre (shoulder injury); Aaron Shingler, back row (concussion), Rob Evans, prop (concussion), Sion Bennett (shoulder injury).

Scarlets Head Coach Simon Easterby said: “Friday evening will be a important platform for a number of our wider squad players who are eager to take their opportunities in the Scarlets jersey.

“The LV=Cup competition is a great way for young players to stake their claim at regional level and we will be looking forward to seeing how the boys perform in a tough Welsh derby.

“The Dragons have a strong squad to choose from with less international call-ups and it will a decent test for our players here at home on Friday night and then when we travel to Saracens away the following weekend.

“The next two LV=Cup games are closely followed by big away fixtures for us in Connacht and Leinster in the PRO12 and after last week’s winning performance against Ulster, we have all to play for in our league campaign and will need to pick up points on the road to keep our top four ambitions alive.

“It’s important we retain winning momentum during this phase of our season and for a new batch of Scarlets, it’s their chance to take responsibility, put in big performances and take up the mantle for our region at a key time.

“These games will highlight the depth of talent we are building and the ambition and commitment we’ve got throughout our squad as well as the strong and close working partnerships with have with our Premiership clubs which is a real success story for our region.”

Scarlets V Newport Gwent Dragons, Friday 8th November 2013, Parc y Scarlets kick off 7.30pm; 15 Gareth Owen; 14 Jordan Williams; 13 Gareth Maule; 12 Adam Warren; 11 Chris Knight; 10 Aled Thomas; 9 Aled Davies; 1 Shaun Hopkins; 2 Kirby Myhill; 3; Rhodri Jones; 4; Johan Synman; 5 Richard Kelly; 6 Craig Price; 7 Dan Thomas; 8 Rob McCusker (capt).

Replacements: Darran Harris, Gareth Thomas, Ben Leung, Carwyn Jones, James Davies, Gareth Davies, Josh Lewis, Kristian Phillips.

NEW SCARLETS FACES

Ben Leung

Nineteen year old tighthead prop Ben Leung joined the Scarlets development pathway as a member of the under 16s regional side. Having gone on to gain a place in the Scarlets Academy Ben has developed through the ranks making his debut for Llanelli RFC against Neath in April 2013. Ben is currently studying at Coleg Sir Gar and is undertaking an internship with the Regional Analysis department.

James Davies

Back-row forward James Davies joined the Scarlets at the start of the 2013-14 season. Originally from Bancyfelin, Davies is the younger brother of Scarlets centre Jon Davies. James Davies joined the Scarlets after spending three seasons with Carmarthen Quins. He made his Quins debut in September 2010 against Newport and has made 47 appearances for the club over the past three seasons, scoring nine tries.

Davies made his debut for the Wales Sevens team at the Gold Coast leg of the World Sevens Series in 2012 and has established himself as a regular member of the Wales Sevens squad. He was part of the Wales Sevens squad for the 2013 Rugby World Cup Sevens in Moscow, where Wales reached the quarter finals. He also represented Wales at U18 level.

Josh Lewis

Outside half Josh Lewis joined Llanelli RFC this summer from Gwent side Ebbw Vale. He secured an impressive individual display in Ebbw Vale’s SWALEC Cup quarter final against Pontypridd earlier in the year when they narrowly missed out on securing a scalp against Wales’ best club side. He scored 17 points from the boot in the quarter final and set up a beautiful try for his side.