Exciting blend of youthful talent to represent Scarlets 7s

Scarlets have named an exciting squad of youthful regional talent for Premiership Rugby 7s that will be held at BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park this Saturday.

Scarlets will take on fellow regions Cardiff Blues, Newport Gwent Dragons and Ospreys in the inaugural Welsh leg of Premiership Rugby 7s to be held at the nation’s capital in what promises to be a thrilling evening of rugby for regional rugby supporters.

Former Scarlet and Wales 7s captain Richie Pugh, who was a part of the Wales team that won the IRB Sevens World Cup in Dubai in 2009, has picked an exciting squad of young talented players alongside established 7s and regional players.

Scarlets winger Kristian Phillips will captain the side with summer signings Michael Tagicakibau and Rory Pitman expected to make their Scarlets debuts. Both new recruits will feature up-front alongside Carmarthen Quins second row Sion Bennett and Llanelli hooker Darran Harris who won regional honours last season.

Quins’ Chris Banfield, Samurai’s Dai Treharne and Llandovery’s Lee Rees bring with them a wealth of 7s experience to the young squad.

Banfield, who represents Carmarthen Warriors in the short form of the game and Carmarthen Quins in the Principality Premiership, is a 7s World Champion having lifted the trophy with Team GB at the World Universities Sevens Championship in Brive in 2012. Banfield helped his side to the title with three tries during the tournament going on to beat South Africa in the final.

Dai Treharne, a Rosslyn Park Sevens winner with Coleg Sir Gar, has quickly made a name for himself alongside older brother Luke on the invitational Sevens Series circuit carving up the scene for Samurai. He also helped Coleg Sir Gar to win the Welsh Colleges title at the Millennium Stadium in 2013.

Completing the trio of 7s specialist in the squad is former Scarlets Academy winger Lee Rees. Rees has played against some of the best teams across the globe including South Africa, New Zealand and Tonga, during his time on the IRB circuit. He also represented Wales 7s at the Commonwealth Games in India 2010.

Scarlets young guns scrum half Connor Lloyd, outside half Josh Lewis and wingers Aaron Warren and Kyle Evans add youth, exuberance and plenty of speed to the Scarlets’ strong squad.

Scarlets 7s Coach Richie Pugh commented: “It’s great for the Scarlets to have an opportunity to takepart in the Premiership 7s here in Wales. I’ve watched it evolve over the last few season and it’s a really good event.

“The tournament will will give an opportunity for some young players to put their hands up on the big stage and I’m excited to see this young squad in action.

“Sevens is a game that tests and exposes you as a player but also gives you a chance to express yourself, it’s an intense yet exciting format. It will be a big occasion this Saturday and there’s also a nice carrot of reaching the final at the Stoop – we have it all to play for and will be doing so against local rivals.”

Scarlets 7s Squad:

Sion Bennett, Darran Harris, Rory Pitman, Michael Tagicakibau, Chris Banfield, Dai Treharne, Lee Rees, Connor Lloyd, Kristian Phillips ©, Josh Lewis, Aaron Warren, Kyle Evans

The Welsh Regions will battle it out over games of 20 minutes with the Scarlets getting their campaign underway in Game 2 against the Dragons.

• Game 1 Ospreys v Cardiff Blues
• Game 2 Newport Gwent Dragons v Scarlets
• Game 3 Newport Gwent Dragons v Ospreys
• Game 4 Cardiff Blues v Scarlets
• Game 5 Ospreys v Scarlets
• Game 6 Newport Gwent Dragons v Cardiff Blues

Two top Welsh Regions from the competition on 26th July will qualify for the Series Final at the Twickenham Stoop on Friday 8th August.

Ticket prices are just £5 for Regions Season Ticket holders (£3 for concessions) £10 for other guests (£5 concessions). Standing tickets are prices £4 for adult season ticket holders and £8 for other guests and are now available from Parc y Scarlets ticket office. Call 0871 871 8088 now.