Scarlets welcome back Leicester Tigers for big rugby Saturday at Parc y Scarlets

The Scarlets kick off their LV=Cup campaign this Saturday with a prime fixture against Leicester Tigers at Parc y Scarlets in a big weekend of rugby for heart and soul rugby country supporters.

Scarlets supporters will kick off the weekend with the excitement of watching and cheering on Wales’ Scarlets Jon Davies, Stephen Jones, George North and Scott Williams in the semi-final of the Rugby World Cup. It’s been a huge campaign for the seven Scarlets, including Rhys Priestland, Ken Owens and Tavis Knoyle out in New Zealand on the big international stage.

Attentions then turn to the Scarlets’ home fixture at 6pm on Saturday evening. After two bruising battles against the big English club last season in the Heineken Cup, the Scarlets say they are looking forward to hosting the Tigers back at Parc y Scarlets.

The Tigers who have won one from six matches this season are currently one from bottom in 11th in the Aviva Premiership league.

The Scarlets meet Leicester after a strong performance and bonus point win (33-17) against Edinburgh last weekend at Parc y Scarlets in the RaboDirect Pro12 league.

Those unavailable for selection include current skipper Iestyn Thomas, Prop (calf strain), Nick Reynolds, wing/centre (ankle), Lou Reed, second row (knee), Josh Turnbull, back row (shoulder), Andy Fenby, wing (ankle), Gareth Maule, centre (ankle), Lee Williams, wing (fracture cheekbone), Gareth Davies (groin).

Credited for playing a crucial role in the development of elite players, the LV= Cup competition will be an opportunity for Scarlets next generation to take their opportunities.

Chances have been handed to a group of new young Scarlets including no 8 Kieran Murphy, 24, from Mumbles, wing Liam Williams, 20, from Swansea, centre Adam Warren, 20 from Burry Port who scored two tries last weekend on his competitive Scarlets debut and 20 year-old former Trimsaran RFC wing Dale Ford (see biogs below).

It will also be the first opportunity for the Scarlets home crowd to welcome new lock signing Sione Timani, who starts on the bench. The Tongan second row has been signed on a two-year contract. The 26-year-old played for Carmarthen Quins in the Welsh Premiership last season and impressed for Tonga in the World Cup. At 19 stone, 6ft 5in Timani is the brother of Sitaleki Timani, who starred at lock for Australian Super Rugby side the Waratahs last season.

Viewed as a competition which will allow young Scarlets to take their opportunities, Scarlets Head Coach Nigel Davies said: “We are approaching this competition and fixture as we would any other, it is one of three competitions we are in and it gives us the opportunity to allow some of our younger new Scarlets the chance to show their potential. This is a big opening fixture for us in the LV=Cup against a strong Leicester side so our players they have to realise they must stand-up and perform under pressure.

“For us it’s great that Leicester may come with strong team and we’ll have to be on top of our game to be competitive. There will be a big emphasis on set piece and when you come up against the big teams in this competition or in Europe, it is vitally important to get that right. I’ve been pleased with how our scrum has gone so far, it’s given us a platform to build off and with the likes of Matthew Rees now coming back into the pack soon, we are building not only for the immediate games but looking ahead as well.

“Leicester took that part of our game away from us in our encounters last season but we’re aware of it and we want to come back stronger for it this year. If we can have parity there, we know we have the quality in this team to get points and results. “

Davies added: “The LV+ Cup is an excellent platform for young, up and coming players to shine and foster the next generation of talented players which is a big part of our philosophy and vision as Scarlets.”

Davies added that the Scarlets camp were backing their rising Scarlets internationals in the Welsh side for the big game on Saturday morning.

He said: “It’s been good to see the impact our Scarlets have made to Wales’ World Cup particularly the likes of the back line with Rhys Priestland, Scott Williams, George North and Jon Davies. If you think of how far and quickly they have progressed as players in the past 18 months – it’s staggering and this experience is only going to contribute in a positive way when they return back. It’s certainly going to be an inspiration to our next batch of young Scarlets who can see what can be achieved with the right attitude and commitment.”

Scarlets team against Leicester Tigers, LV= Cup, 6pm Parc y Scarlets: 15 Daniel Evans, 14 Liam Williams, 13 Rhodri Gomer Davies, 12 Adam Warren, 11 Dale Ford, 10 Aled Thomas, 9 Ruki Tipuna, 1 Phil John, 2 Kirby Myhill, 3 Rhodri Jones, 4 Dominic Day 5 Damian Welch 6 Matt Gilbert, 7 Johnathan Edwards, 8 Kieran Murphy.

Replacements: Simon Gardner, Craig Hawkins, Peter Edwards, Sione Timani, Richie Pugh, Aled Davies, Jordan Williams, Lee Rees.

Mathew Gilbert: Despite being born in Sidcup, Matt spent most of his childhood on the move due to his father’s role in the Army. He began playing rugby at Bilton Grange Prep School for the under 7s team and progressed from there to Dover U12s. Before joining Llanelli RFC in 2010 Mat had also played for Hartpury College RFC and Alyhero in Italy. Mathew attended Duke of York’s Royal Military School, Dover and went on to study BsC Coaching and Conditioning and a Postgrad in Coaching Science. Mat has also represented England Deaf Rugby Union. Mat played his debut for Llanelli on 28th August 2010 and has scored 10 tries for the club side since joining in 2010. Age 26, 6’3″.

Kieran Murphy: Aberdeen born Murphy first played rugby at the age of 7 for South Gower’s Under 8s team after moving with the family to Swansea. Before joining the Scarlets in June 2011 Kieran attended Bishopston Comprehensive Swansea and Birmingham University. He’s also played at number eight for Mumbles, Veseyans RFC (West Midlands) and Llandovery RFC. Kieran has scored 4 tries for llandovery in 2010-11 and 2011-12 seasons. Aged 23, 6’4″.

Dale Ford: Born in Swansea, 20 year-old Ford is a Scarlet Academy player now on a development contract with the Scarlets squad and has played fullback and wing for Llanelli RFC. Former clubs include Trimsaran RFC, Burry Port.

Liam Williams: Born in Swansea, 20 year-
old Liam was playing for Llanelli RFC last season and was in the Wales 20s as well in 2010/11. The 6″ 2 wing (& full back) has now played his first three senior games this season against Connacht, Treviso (first senior try), Edinburgh.

Adam Warren: Centre, 20 who scored a brace of tries on his full Scarlets competitive debut last week against Edinburgh coming on last minute for injured Gareth Maule. From Burry Port, Adam has played with Furnace, Llangennech, Llandovery and Scarlets U18’s and Wales U20s.

LV= Cup pools 2011/12

Pool 1: Saracens, Bath Rugby, London Wasps, Ospreys

Pool 2: Leicester Tigers, London Irish, Sale Sharks, Cardiff Blues

Pool 3: Gloucester Rugby, Harlequins, Newcastle Falcons, Scarlets

Pool 4: Northampton Saints, Exeter Chiefs, Worcester Warriors, Dragons

The Scarlets in pool 3 play teams in Pool 2. Each team plays four pool matches, two home and two away – with the top team from each pool qualifying for the semi-finals.