Scarlets’ next generation handed golden opportunity in final pre-season clash

Scarlets take on Bedford Blues on Saturday 29th August, at Llandovery’s Church Bank, in the final pre-season warm up before the Guinness PRO12 campaign gets underway next week.

The region’s head coach Wayne Pivac has named a new look side for the third and final summer clash with eight debutants named in the matchday squad.

Rhys Fawcett (Scarlets Academy), Josh Macleod, Rhys Williams (CarmarthenQuins) and Nathan Edwards (Llanelli)are the four debutants named in the starting XV with Lee Taylor (Carmarthen Quins), Josh Helps (Scarlets), Billy McBryde (Scarlets Academy) and Will Thomas (Llandovery) named on the replacements bench.

Wales Under 20s scrum half Kieran Hardy is named in the starting line-up alongside fellow international age grade teammate Ryan Elias who made an impact for the Scarlets against tough opposition last season whilst Ken Owens, Emyr Phillips and Kirby Myhill were on the injured list.

Joining the Under 20s contingent are two of the region’s exciting young prospects in Ioan Nicholas and Josh Macleod, who has recently returned from a Wales Under 18s tour to South Africa.

Contributing experience and maturity to the group are Scarlets senior players Aled Thomas, Steven Shingler, George Earle and Rob McCusker.

Speaking ahead of the game at Llandovery’s Church Bank Pivac said: “We’re using this game to look at the depth of the squad. It’s an opportunity for us to expose younger guys to a higher level of rugby in a similar way to what we would have done during the LV= Cup campaign last season.

“A number of these guys will go on to represent the Scarlets in the British & Irish Cup this season with Saturday’s game ensuring they have some game time together as a side.

“As well as handing opportunities to some of the younger guys we’ve also got more experienced players like Aled, Rob, George and Steve bring leadership qualities to the park.”

Scrum half Connor Lloyd, who captained Scarlets 7s to a qualifying place at Singha Premiership Rugby 7s series final in Twickenham Stoop this evening, is named on the bench alongside Wales Under 18s outside half Billy McBryde. Two of the region’s young talents, who have recently been handed senior development contracts, Josh Helps and Torin Myhill are also given an opportunity from the bench.

Scarlets team to take on Bedford Blues at Llandovery, Saturday 29th August kick-off 2.30pm;

15 Aled Thomas, 14 Tom Williams, 13 Nathan Edwards, 12 Rhys Williams, 11 Ioan Nicholas, 10 Steven Shingler, 9 Kieran Hardy, 1 Rhys Fawcett, 2 Ryan Elias, 3 Ben Leung, 4 George Earle, 5 Jack Jones, 6 Rob McCusker, 7 Josh Macleod, 8 Tom Phillips

Replacements; Torin Myhill, Dylan Evans, Jack Payne, Lee Taylor, Josh Helps, Connor Lloyd, Billy McBryde, Will Thomas, Will Taylor, Steff Evans

Tickets for Scarlets v Bedford Blues, Saturday 29th August kick-off 2.30pm, at Llandovery’s Church Bank, are on sale now from Scarlets ticket office. Call 0871 871 8088.

Season ticket holders can purchase tickets at half price.