Parkes to lead Scarlets against Jersey this Saturday

Scarlets get their pre-season campaign underway this Saturday, 15^th August, with a warm-up fixture away from home against Jersey RFC.

A number of the region’s experienced players have been named in the matchday squad alongside nine debutants.

Head Coach Wayne Pivac has handed the captaincy role for the first clash of the season to Kiwi Hadleigh Parkes. He is joined in the backline by fellow Kiwi Regan King as well as the experienced Gareth Owen, Aled Thomas and Aled Davies.

Steff Evans, who made nine appearances for the Scarlets last season, gets the nod at fullback with Tom Williams on the wing for his first appearance in the Scarlet jersey.

In the pack, Scarlets regulars Kirby Myhill, George Earle and James Davies are joined by five new faces; props Dylan Evans and Will Taylor, second row Tom Price with Tom Phillips and Morgan Allen also set for their Scarlets debut in the backrow.

A number of the region’s exciting young talents are named on the replacements bench alongside experienced names in scrum half Rhodri Williams and Steven Shingler who makes a return to fitness after undergoing shoulder surgery at the end of last season.

Centre Ioan Nicholas at 17 years and 134 days old misses out on becoming the youngest player to represent the Scarlets, since the game went regional, by three days with fullback Jordan Williams keeping hold of the record.

With three pre season warm up games away from home Scarlets Head Coach Wayne Pivac said: “We’ve re-done the surface out here [at Parc y Scarlets], we like to think we’ve got one of the best grounds around. It’s not a big thing to sacrifice a home game to ensure the surface remains in a good condition later in the season.

“We’re very happy to take a game to Llandovery and Jersey will be a new experience for a lot of people.”

Scarlets team to take on Jersey, Saturday 15^th August 4pm;

15 Steff Evans, 14 Tom Williams*, 13 Regan King, 12 Gareth Owen, 11 Hadleigh Parkes (capt.), 10 Aled Thomas, 9 Aled Davies, 1 Dylan Evans*, 2 Kirby Myhill, 3 Will Taylor*, 4 George Earle, 5 Tom Price*, 6 Tom Phillips*, 7 James Davies, 8 Morgan Allen*

Replacements; Ryan Elias, Ben Leung, Jack Payne, Jack Jones*, Lewis Rawlins, Rhodri Williams, Dan Jones, Ioan Nicholas*, Will Boyde, Matthew Owen*, Steven Shingler