Scarlets Team Announcement V London Welsh at Parc y Scarlets

It’s a warm welcome back to rugby at Parc y Scarlets this Saturday afternoon as the Scarlets host London Welsh for an historic and thrilling fixture with plenty of rivalry and entertainment in store for supporters.

Following two games on the road in the run up to the new season, the Scarlets return home with the chance for loyal Scarlets supporters to welcome back many of West Wales’ rugby’s top-billing players.

And the afternoon will be held in honour of Iestyn Thomas who has chosen to give the proceeds of his benefit game to cancer charity, Tenovus. Iestyn Thomas will lead the team out on the field to be welcomed by a vocal Parc y Scarlets home crowd on Saturday afternoon, kick off 2.30pm.

As the Scarlets coaching team fine tune their selection and performance ahead of the season’s showcase opener against Leinster on Saturday September 1st (kick off 1830 PYS), supporters will see the return at heart and soul rugby country of internationals George North, Scott Williams, Liam Williams, Tavis Knoyle, Ken Owens and Aaron Shingler led by Scarlets skipper back row Rob McCusker. It will also be the first chance to see some of the regions new faces – including two former Ospreys, wing Kristian Philips and second row Richard Kelly.

There is also a welcome return from injury to the starting line-up for experienced Prop Phil John.

Scarlets team v London Welsh, Saturday 25th August 2012, Parc y Scarlets kick off 2.30pm.

15 Liam Williams

14 Kristian Phillips

13 Gareth Maule

12 Adam Warren

11 Andy Fenby

10 Aled Thomas

9 Tavis Knoyle

1 Phil John

2 Ken Owens

3 Deacon Manu

4 Sione Timani

5 Richard Kelly

6 Josh Turnbull

7 Johnathan Edwards

8 Rob McCusker (capt)

Replacements: Jordan Williams, Scott Williams, George North, Dan Newton, Gareth Davies, Peter Edwards, Kirby Myhill, Samson Lee, George Earle, Aaron Shingler, Craig Price, Richie Pugh.

Scarlets Head Coach, Simon Easterby said: “This is a very important game for us in our preparation for Leinster a week Saturday, pushing on from what we have done in our pre-season phase and now moving into the final elements of our performance build. We’re looking at more continuity in our selection and so there won’t be as many changes on the field early on as we’ve seen in previous weeks.

“It’s the first time some of our new players will have got a home run out in Scarlets colours including George (Earle) and Kristian (Phillips) and I’m sure they’ll get a very warm reception from our supporters.

“As well as being a key game in our build-up the new season kick-off for our rugby group, it should be a great afternoon out for supporters with the added colour, spice and tradition of playing London Welsh here in Llanelli. The boys are looking forward to the contest and London Welsh will come here with plenty on in terms of their preparations to face Leicester so we can expect an interesting battle.”