Huge clash for Scarlets as they seek Euro qualification

Scarlets welcome Newport Gwent Dragons to Parc y Scarlets on Friday 2nd May, kick-off 7.05pm, in the first of two back-to-back derbies in West Wales within a week.

The Scarlets have the opportunity on Friday evening to secure a place in the top tier of European rugby next season needing just two points from their game with the Dragons to keep the nearest opponents at bay.

The West Wales region is under no illusions however of the task on the horizon having suffered a narrow defeat to Cardiff Blues over Easter at the Millennium Stadium. Despite victories in the last five fixtures at Parc y Scarlets, in all tournaments, the Scarlets are chasing a first derby victory of the season.

Scarlets Forwards Coach Danny Wilson is looking forward to the challenge but knows that the Dragons will put up a fight; “Dragons have played big sides in recent weeks and have put in some big performances despite not coming away with the results. We were all disappointed with the result when we lost away from home and we most certainly won’t be taking them lightly.

“The preparation this week has been much of the same as it is any other week but we’re all clear and focused on knowing that we need to start the game and be mentally in a better place than we were last game.

“We don’t want to lose two derbies on the bounce, there’s a lot of pride in the group and our intentions is to put things right from last week. We’ll be looking to bounce back with a good start and a good performance.”

Two derbies at home to end the season, and a fight to secure sixth place to ensure European qualification, has kept the Scarlets’ season alive, Wilson went on to say; “The two derbies are adding an extra spice to the end of the season now that we’re not competing for the top four and we’re obviously very focused on securing qualification into the top six to stay in the top flight of Europe next season.”

Head Coach Simon Easterby has named a side with three changes and one positional from the side that took on the Blues at the Millennium Stadium.

Club captain Rob McCusker returns to the number 8 birth after a period on the sideline through injury. Josh Turnbull moves from 8 to the flank with Steven Shingler and Olly Barkley included in the starting backline.

Newport Gwent Dragons have picked up only three league points from their last six PRO12 matches and have not won away from home in the competition since a trip to Glasgow in round 8. Dragons were victorious 23-16 when the two sides met at Rodney Parade in round 3 and have only once before achieved a season’s double over their neighbours from the West; in 2007/08.

Scarlets team v Dragons, Parc y Scarlets, Friday 2nd May, kick-off 7.05pm:

15 Steven Shingler, 14 Kristian Phillips, 13 Jonathan Davies (c), 12 Olly Barkley, 11 Jordan Williams, 10 Rhys Priestland, 9 Gareth Davies, 1 Phil John, 2 Ken Owens, 3 Samson Lee, 4 Jake Ball, 5 George Earle, 6 Josh Turnbull, 7 John Barclay, 8 Rob McCusker

Replacements: Kirby Myhill, Rob Evans, Rhodri Jones, Johan Snyman, Aaron Shingler, Rhodri Williams, Gareth Maule, Frazier Climo