Scarlets Team Announcement for Dragons LV=Cup

The Scarlets travel to Rodney Parade for an all Welsh clash in the last group stages of the LV=Cup on Sunday afternoon with a side packed with future Scarlets talent.

The Scarlets currently have 9 senior squad players on international duty, a group of Scarlets academy and development players with Wales U20 and U18s, two with Wales Sevens (Richie Pugh and Lees Rees) and another 16 unavailable through injury.

The region has called on the services of a number of Llanelli RFC regulars for this fixture as well as a core of development players within the Scarlets set-up.

Scarlets Head Coach Nigel Davies said: “It is a challenging time for us as we have a 38-man squad and most are out on international duties or injured, however the flip side of that is that we are handing opportunities to a lot of players who are eager to prove themselves and will take great pride in wearing the Scarlets jersey on Sunday.

“Equally we have to be mindful about balancing this fixture and player rotation given how few fit players we have in light of three crucial Magners League games we have coming up. We have Connacht away and then Ulster and Edinburgh at home, all of which are very important to our ambitions in the league.

“We know the Dragons will be looking for a big win to top their group and will have a strong side out on Sunday but a lot of our players will relish the chance to achieve in a highly competitive contest and from our point of view there can only be longer term benefits from playing the next generation of players in these types of encounters.

“If you think back to 18 months ago, some of our core talent within the senior squad was being given the exposure to highly competitive rugby as part of their development and now many of them are with Wales.

“We know Sunday will be a big ask, the contact area is going to be a massive part of it and it was a good lesson for our players last week against a very strong, physical Saracens side.

“We’ll use that to our advantage and we’re certainly preparing this team with the view to winning this game and know we will have to start well.

“Part of the progression is to develop these players into winning players, so we go there with the same mentality and we have been successful against the Dragons over the last three years so we’ll be taking the game to them.”

Experienced Scarlets front rower, Phil John takes the captain’s armband again with former Wales tighthead Rhys Thomas back from injury. The Scarlets backs have plenty to offer in terms of pace and power with Dan Evans at full-back, Darren Daniel returns from Carmarthen Quins back to Scarlets colours on the wing, former Wales U20 star Scott Williams returns from injury at centre with Gareth Davies getting the scrum-half jersey.

Scarlets starting XV v Dragons, 6/2/11, kick-off 1300: Daniel Evans, Darren Daniel, Nick Reynolds, Scott Williams, Joe Ajuwa, Owen Williams, Gareth Davies, Phil John (capt), Rhys Lawrence, Rhys Thomas, Adam Powell, Nathan White, Aaron Shingler, Nic Cudd, Damian Welch.

Replacements: Craig Hawkins, Sean Hopkins, Dean Howells, Duane Eager, Mat Gilbert, Martin Roberts, Jonny Lewis, Rheon James.

SCARLETS BIOGS

Owen Williams, Outside half, DOB 27/02/92, born in Neath, raised in Ystradgynlais, educated at Ysgol Gyfun Ystalyfera, he played for the Ospreys at 16/18s and went to Wales Rugby League two seasons ago. Has played six times for Llanelli RFC this season and scored 29 points.

Nathan White, Second Row, DOB 14/10/88 born in Bridgend, raised in Maesteg and has played for Bridgend, Aberavon, Wales U16, U18 and U20s. He works for his local council.

Adam Powell, Second RowDOB 27/12/83 born in Swansea, raised in Llanelli and educated at Ysgol Y Strade he first played rugby for Llangennech. He is a Geography teacher. This season he has played 20 games with Llanelli RFC with 5 points.

Mathew Gilbert (Mat),Back RowDOB 9/10/85 born in Sidcup, England.  Now with Llanelli RFC and has pled 18 times this season with 30 points.

Jonny Lewis, Full-back or wing. DOB 02/06/88, born and raised in Swansea, educated at Gowerton Comprehensive has played for Llanelli RFC 19 appearances this season and 20 points. Works as a overhead line engineer.

Shaun Hopkins, Prop. DOV 23/02/85 born and raised in Gorseinon, educated at Llangatwg Comprehensive in Neath and has played for Llanelli RFC. This season he’s appeared seven times for Llanelli RFC this season with 5 points. He works in the family business and has been playing for the Premiership club since 2005/06 season.

Duane Eager, Flanker DOB 17/02/88, born and raised in Swansea.  Educated at Cefn Hencoed, plays for Llanelli RFC.  He is an electrician by trade and last season appeared 32 times with 15 points, he’s played 17 games for Llanelli RFC this season.

Craig Hawkins,Hooker DOB 4/07/79, born and raised in Morriston, Swansea.  Educated in Gowerton. Also played for Swansea, Bridgend, Hopes Bay NZ and Llanelli RFC. He is a personal trainer. Has appeared 17 times this season for Llanelli RFC with 25 points.

Rheon James, Centre Centre Rheon James (18) is from Newcastle Emlyn and started playing rugby for his local club. James has been with the Scarlets Academy for two years and captained the Under 16’s during 2009-10 season. He is amongst nine Scarlets players who have been named in Wales’ Under 20’s squad for 2011’s Six Nations campaigns with the games to be played at Parc y Scarlets. James is currently studying for his A Levels at Ysgol Gyfun Bro Myrddin Carmarthen. As well as playing for the Scarlets Academy James also plays for Carmarthen Quins.

Dean Howells, Front row Gorseinon born Howells (23) is currently playing for Scarlets feeder club Llandovery. He began playing rugby at the age of 11 for Bonymaen RFC before moving on to play senior rugby for Loughor. Howells studied Sports Management at UWIC and has been playing for the University side for the p
revious two seasons. Currently living in Three Crosses, Swansea, Howells attended school at Bishopston Comprehensive, Swansea.