New Scarlets look forward to this weekend’s clash with the Titans

The Scarlets’ first summer fixture of the new season kicks off this Saturday (13/08) at 12noon at Parc y Scarlets against Rotherham Titans with a host of new faces being given their first opportunities in the Scarlets shirt.

The pre-season fixture will be a testimonial game for former Scarlets and Wales’ popular and widely respected back row forward, Dafydd Jones who announced his retirement last season through injury. A true heart and soul Scarlet, Jones played 201 games for Llanelli and the Scarlets, scoring 24 tries, winning 115 matches and 2 drawn.He played his first game for the Scarlets on St Valentine’s Day in 1997 against Leeds and achieved 42 caps for Wales mainly at flanker but he has covered all three back row positions for club and country.

The exciting Scarlets fixture will be immediately followed by screenings of Wales V England from the Millennium Stadium and the chance to support the Scarlets internationals in action within the home atmosphere of Parc y Scarlets.

A host of new faces will be in the line-up on Saturday – giving heart and soul Scarlets supporters the chance to be the first to see some of the region’s most exciting new Welsh talent emerge on home soil, after a focused and intense summer of pre-season training, conditioning, skills and game preparation.

Saturday’s match will see some of Wales’ age-grade stars in action including Wales U18 players Jordan Williams at full-back and Rhodri Williams at scrum-half; Wales U20 hooker Kirby Myhill who put in some eye-catching performances at international level plus new two new centres who have impressed in pre-season with their physicality, strength and ambition Chris Keenan and Adam Warren. In addition, two new back row players Craig Price and Mumbles born and bred no 8 Kieran Murphy get their opportunities.

Experience to add structure and shape to the Scarlets performance comes in the form of established Scarlets first-team players including wingers Lee Williams and Andy Fenby who returns after a 10-month absence from the field through a groin injury; and in the pack sevens star Richie Pugh, Damian Welch, Aaron Shingler, Phil John and Simon Gardiner.

Hooker Ken Owens, released back from the Wales National Squad, is on the Scarlets bench for cover after returning to training this summer following surgery on his neck last season.

Rhys Jones, son of Kingsley Jones starts at outside half for the Scarlets. Jones, a talented sevens player contracted to the WRU, is on attachment with the Scarlets region and brings good game management stills and a strong kicking ability in the pivotal role.

Scarlets team against Rotherham Titans, Saturday 13th August kick off 12 noon at Parc y Scarlets: 15 Jordan Williams, 14 Lee Williams, 13 Adam Warren, 12 Chris Keenan, 11 Andy Fenby, 10 Rhys Jones, 9 Rhodri Williams, 8 Kieran Murphy, 7 Richie Pugh, 6 Craig Price, 5 Damian Welch, 4 Aaron Shingler, 3 Simon Gardiner, 2 Kirby Myhill, 1 Phil John (captain).

Replacements: Ken Owens, Rhodri Jones, Peter Edwards, Ed Kelly, Nic Cudd, Matt Gilbert, Justin James, Jake Randell, Iolo Evans, Aaron Evans, Lee Rees.

Head Coach Nigel Davies said: “There’s some exceptional young, emerging talent taking to the field in the Scarlets shirt on Saturday and plenty for us all to look forward to in this the second part of our pre-season phase training block.

“It’s a big opportunity for a lot of these boys that have come into the squad for the first time to impress, whether they’re academy players or players we have picked up with potential to play professional rugby. And for us, it’s the chance have a good look at how they perform in what will be a very competitive game.

“Balanced around these younger boys are some more experienced players who will drive that winning mentality and bring a tougher edge on the pitch.

“We’ve been pleased with pre-season there’s been a lot of energy and ambition in the group from the new faces and the players have trained well. They are ready for this game now and from our point of view Saturday’s game is where our season begins. We all want to get off to a good start and keep the momentum going.”

Returning Scarlets wing Andy Fenby said: “It’s been a tough pre-season schedule, we’ve worked hard and there’s a lot of new faces in the group here at Parc y Scarlets. The players are all really up for this first fixture now and keen to get on the pitch to show what they can do and for me it’s just exciting to get back playing and get into the competition for places again.

“It’s been a difficult past season with 10 months out but I’m over the moon to be back in the game and starting on Saturday makes all the hard work I have done with the physios worthwhile. I’ve had a lot of support and it’s great the club have worked with me and been patient with me to get me back to where I am now.”