The Scarlets travel to Sandy Park this weekend for the return fixture in the Christmas double headers intent on securing a win in the first of five challenging away fixtures in a row for the region.
The Scarlets welcome back Welsh international winger George North back into the starting line-up for the big pride-restoring Heineken Cup trip against Exeter Chiefs.
With a strong Scarlets travelling support making the festive trip to the West Country to back their team, the players say they want to reward supporters with a spirited win on the road pre-Christmas as the first of five trips away from their home ground.
With high profile Christmas derby fixtures against the Cardiff Blues and the Ospreys on the horizon followed by trips away to Ulster and Leinster, the Scarlets say they’ll draw on the big away wins they’ve secured this season.
Scarlets Head Coach Simon Easterby said his side had been hard on themselves in terms of their performances in Europe this season but wouldn’t look back this weekend as they seek to put things right in Exeter.
He said: “It is vital we get back momentum and you can’t find a better stage than Europe to do that. We’re obviously frustrated and disappointed with our three results in the Heineken Cup – we’ve certainly haven’t been outplayed in any of our games we just haven’t maintained the intensity and execution needed throughout 80 minutes.
“The opportunity now rests with us to turn that around and with a big result this weekend we go back into the league with confidence.
“We put in a positive performance in the second half last weekend and created plenty of opportunities against Exeter. We’ve plenty of homework on them over the last couple of weeks – our mindset will be the same again that with the quality we have on the field we can go to Sandy Park with confidence and it’s certainly not beyond us to get a result there.
“We know they have a very good home record, and a big, hostile atmosphere will in many ways create the kind of occasion that our players can feed off and build tempo from. We’ve been good on the road this year and we’ll draw on that for the next five fixtures.”
In the backs, Wales international centre Jonathan Davies captains his side again alongside fellow international Scott Williams, Liam Williams switches from wing to full-back, Gareth Maule starts on the wing with George North returning from a hip injury picked up with Wales during the autumn.
In the pack, Ken Owens starts at hooker with Tongan international Sione Timani alongside former Osprey Richard Kelly. South African signing George Earle moves to the back row for the injured Aaron Shingler alongside Johnathan Edwards and Kieran Murphy who keep their starting places from last weekend.
Scarlets Team V Exeter Chiefs Saturday 14th December 2012 kick off 3.40pm at Sandy Park 15 Liam Williams 14 George North, 13 Jonathan Davies (capt), 12 Scott Williams, 11 Gareth Maule, 10 Aled Thomas, 9 Aled Davies, 1 Shaun Hopkins, 2 Ken Owens, 3 Samson Lee, 4 Sione Timani, 5 Richard Kelly, 6 George Earle, 7 Johnathan Edwards, 8 Kieran Murphy.
Replacements: 16 Matthew Rees, 17 Rhodri Jones, 18 Deacon Manu, 19 Johan Synman, 20 Tomás Vallejos, 21 Tavis Knoyle, 22 Dan Newton, 23 Kristian Phillips.
Players not available for selection through injury: Gareth Davies (neck strain), Josh Turnbull (knee), Rob McCusker (ankle), Jordan Williams (shoulder), Emyr Phillips (neck), Aaron Shingler (groin), Rhys Priestland (Achilles).
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