Scarlets team announcement V Glasgow

The Scarlets will be looking to build on their strong and commanding performance away from home last weekend against Cardiff Blues, to set the record straight against visitors Glasgow Warriors at Parc y Scarlets on Friday night.

The Scarlets have not been successful in their last five encounters against Glasgow and will be looking to put that right on Friday evening in front of a vocal home crowd. (Scarlets v Glasgow, Magners League, Friday 29th October, kick-off 8.05pm at Parc Y Scarlets.)

Following an important victory (16-10) against a strong Cardiff Blues side last week the Scarlets moved to second position in the Magners League with Glasgow currently 10th, and the home side believe it’s time for a big performance against their Scottish visitors.

Scarlets Head Coach Nigel Davies said: “They’re a very good team and showed that last week against the Ospreys; they may be at the wrong end of the league table at the moment, but we know the margins between success and failure are very narrow in this league, it’s very competitive and can change quickly. They play a great brand of rugby and they have frustrated us over the last couple of seasons so we really are overdue a big performance against them.”

A number of Scarlets internationals are now on duty for the autumn including outside half Stephen Jones, recently announced Wales captain hooker Matthew Rees, scrum-half Tavis Knoyle, wing George North, wing Sean Lamont (Scotland) and centre Jon Davies.

The Scarlets will have international back row forward Rob McCusker starting for the region for Friday night’s clash after he was released back to the region by Wales this week before undergoing a routine groin operation next week.

Sean Lamont (wing) is not fit for selection through illness and Jon Davies (centre) who was due to be released by Wales for this game, pulled up with a minor injury during training with Wales earlier this week (ankle).

David Lyons does not make the fitness race (shoulder) so number 8 Ben Morgan, who put in a strong performance last week against the Blues, returns to the starting line-up, as does Wales sevens star Lee Williams on the wing for his first Scarlets start of the season along with rising talent Nick Reynolds who comes onto the wing for Sean Lamont.

Scarlets starting XV against Glasgow, Magners League, Friday 29th October, Parc y Scarlets kick off 8.05pm: Daniel Evans, Lee Williams, Regan King, Gareth Maule, Nick Reynolds, Rhys Priestland, Martin Roberts, Iestyn Thomas, Ken Owens, Deacon Manu, Lou Reed, Damian Welch, Josh Turnbull, Rob McCusker, Ben Morgan.

Replacements:  Emyr Phillips, Phil John, Peter Edwards, Dominic Day, Richie Pugh, Gareth Davies, Dan Newton, Scott Williams.

Scarlets Head Coach, Nigel Davies:  “This is big game against Glasgow, we know we’ll need a top-level performance against them. In terms of our season and our focus on the league, a result will position ourselves quite strongly with a third of the season under our belts – knowing that there are still huge challenges to come.

“We were very pleased with the way we controlled and managed our game last week and to bounce back like we did against the Blues after the defeat at Leicester showed a lot of character and maturity by these players and I think indicates how far we have come.

“I’ve been really pleased with how many of our players have fronted-up this season – a good example is Ben Morgan who took his opportunity really well last weekend and its good that we have strength across this squad with options when our internationals are away. We have a group of players coming through that are eager and passionate about competing for the shirt and that’s a healthy position for us to be in.”

Former All Black centre Regan King said: “We’ve put ourselves in a good position in the league so far and that’s been a target for us this season.  This team bounced back last week and we showed that we are able to mix things us a bit more. We executed our game plan well and showed that we can apply a different approach when we need to.

“We’ve got some good guys that can slot into our team when the internationals go, it’s nothing new and we plan for it – there is good continuity in our squad and lots of competition particularly in the midfield.  Gareth’s (Maule) playing really well and has stepped up to the mark and we’ve had a run of games together now which is good. Ben Morgan also stepped in really well last week and gave us good go forward ball.

“Glasgow really turned it on in the second half last week against the Ospreys and they have some quality guys. Our plan is to win at home and if we bring intensity and right game plan together we believe we can put right our record against Glasgow.”

A new face in the Scarlets starting line-up for Glasgow is bright young prospect, Llanelli born and bred 21-year-old Nick Reynolds, who can play wing or centre. He’s named for his first competitive fixture start this season and his fifth for the region. Reynolds who was awarded a Principality Premiership player award last season for his strong performances with Llanelli RFC was part of the SWAEC Cup winning team last season and is currently on a two-year development contract with the region.  He has scored six tries for Llanelli already this season and was one of the Premiership’s top try scorers in 2009/10 with 11 tries.