Scarlets back in action today against ambitious Premiership side Exeter Chiefs

The excitement of a new rugby season at Parc y Scarlets kicks off with a thrilling pre-season fixture at the home of West Wales rugby, as the Scarlets take on English Premiership side Exeter Chiefs.

Kicking off at 3pm today (Saturday 17th August) at Parc y Scarlets, it will be a stern test of the Scarlets pre-season preparations against an ambitious and buoyant Exeter side that won six of their last seven fixtures at the end of last season.

And to add to the busy and lively afternoon at Parc y Scarlets, it will the first time a pre-season game has been included as part of the Scarlets Season Membership, as a thank you from the region to its loyal supporters and a fitting way to welcome rugby back to Parc y Scarlets.

For supporters it will be a first chance to see new addition outside half Steve Shingler in action in the Scarlets shirt on his return to Parc y Scarlets from London Irish, as he joins up as Scarlets team-mates with brother – international back row Aaron Shingler.

It promises to be a great afternoon of rugby at heart and soul rugby country with plenty to motivate the home side after losing out to Exeter in the Heineken Cup in December and to show the first results of a focused and hard working summer in preparation for the 2013/14 season.

Saturday’s return to rugby action will be the first of three tests in the pre-season for an energised and focused Scarlets squad with other away pre-season fixtures for the West Wales side to include games against London Welsh and Gloucester Rugby.

It will be third encounter for the Scarlets against the Chiefs in pre-season battles in recent years. Both sides will want to get off to a strong start ahead of the new season with the Scarlets due to open their league campaign against PRO12 champions Leinster on Friday September 6th at Parc y Scarlets.

Scarlets Head Coach, Simon Easterby said: “Pre-season games are key to us in how we approach and select for our first competitive fixtures in the RaboDirect PRO12. It will be a really good test for this group against a strong and attacking Exeter side that has made huge strides in the couple of seasons.

“We want to get off to a very positive start and continue to build on the momentum and belief we had at the end of last season which got us to a top four spot in the RaboDirect PRO12 and these games will be a good benchmark for us to see how much progress has been made.

“The players are raring to go and there is plenty of competition for places so it will be good to see how the players run-out. There is a good mix in the side we’ve selected for Exeter in terms of experience, fresh talent and the chance to try out some new combinations.

“These games are about giving players the opportunity to impress and perform and put down a marker for the start of the season.

“Ahead of the new season, we’ve focused in on some key themes of leadership, communication and players’ decision-making and reaction under pressure. This will be represented in our structure as a team next season and we expect to be in a position to announce the Scarlets captaincy next week.

“The players have been very receptive and responded positively to everything we’ve worked on individually and collectively as a squad. I’ve been really impressed with the spirit in the group and there’s a strong sense of purpose and unity building here ahead of the new season.”

Season Memberships are still on sale at Parc y Scarlets – be part of the thrilling Heineken Cup, RaboDirect PRO12 and LV=Cup next season for prices from just £129 for 17 home games including this Saturday’s fixture against Exeter Chiefs.

Scarlets Team v Exeter Chiefs; Saturday August 16th 2013 kick off 3pm at Parc y Scarlets 15 Gareth Owen; 14 Kristian Phillips; 13 Gareth Maule; 12 Adam Warren; 11 Jordan Williams; 10 Steve Shingler; 9 Gareth Davies; 1 Rob Evans; 2 Kirby Myhill; 3 Samson Lee; 4 George Earle (captain); 5 Jo Snyman; 6 Aaron Shingler; 7 Dan Thomas; 8 Craig Price.

Replacements: Phil John, Emyr Phillips, Deacon Manu, Jake Ball, Richard Kelly, Lewis Rawlins, Sione Timani, Aled Davies, Aled Thomas, Aaron Warren, Nick Reynolds, Kyle Evans.