SCARLETS RETURN TO EUROPEAN ACTION

SCARLETS RETURN TO EUROPEAN ACTION

By Helen ‘Helzbach’ Davies

 

The Scarlets have the opportunity to make up for their surprise loss at the very beginning of the season when they welcome Benetton Treviso to Parc y Scarlets tomorrow. It will also be an opportunity to make up for the frustrating draw last week against Leinster.

This game heralds the start of a busy Festive period for the men in Scarlet, with back to back games against Treviso being followed by two local derbies. With seven home wins this season already, it is hopeful that Parc y Scarlets is becoming the fortress that Parc y Strade once was.

Unfortunately, both tight-head props Deacon Manu and Pete Edwards suffered fractured fore-arms during last week’s match, leaving a major prop problem for Head of Rugby, Nigel Davies, so much so, it prompted him to make an appeal for any tight-head props to give him a call during his appearnance on last week’s Scrum V programme!! In the meantime, 20 year old Simon Gardiner has been registered to play in Europe.

Also missing is wing sensation George North, who required surgery on his return from Welsh duties for a shoulder tear picked up during the Fiji game, despite also playing a full 80 minutes against the All Blacks.

 

Scarlets starting XV v Benetton Treviso, Parc y Scarlets, 11/12/2010, kick-off 3pm:

15 – Rhys Priestland, 14 – Morgan Stoddart, 13 – Gareth Maule, 12 – Regan King, 11 – Sean Lamont, 10 – Stephen Jones, 9 – Tavis Knoyle, 1 – Iestyn Thomas, 2 – Matthew Rees (capt), 3 – Simon Gardiner, 4 – Vernon Cooper, 5 – Dominic Day, 6 – Rob McCusker, 7 – Josh Turnbull, 8 – Ben Morgan.

Replacements: Ken Owens, Rhodri Jones, Phil John, Jonny Fa’amatuainu, Johnathan Edwards, Martin Roberts, Dan Newton, Scott Williams.