Shingler returns for Scarlets season opener

Scarlets head coach Wayne Pivac has named his side to take on Exeter Chiefs in the opening game of the 2016-17 season as the West Wales region take on the West Country side in the first of two pre-season friendlies.

As well as a starting berth for newcomers Rynier Bernardo, Jonathan Evans and Rhys Patchell Aaron Shingler makes a return to action for the first time since February, having suffered concussion.

Hadleigh Parkes, who played every minute of last season’s GUINNESS PRO12 campaign, is named in the centre alongside exciting young prospect Steff Hughes with Aled Thomas adding experience at fullback. Steff Evans and Ioan Nicholas are named on the wings.

The pack is bolstered with an experienced front row in Dylan Evans, Ryan Elias and Peter Edwards whilst newcomer Bernardo is partnered by Tom Price in the second row. Will Boyde and Morgan Allen join Shingler in the backrow.

Speaking ahead of the first pre-season friendly head coach Pivac said: “The new boys have all fitted in well. The work all of the boys have put in has been very pleasing. We want to have a slight change in style this year and move a little bit more ball.

“It’ll be a good opportunity this weekend to see the new boys and young fellas get an opportunity and slot the more experienced, international, boys in a week later. It’s certainly what we were wanting to get to was competition for positions across the park.”

Commenting on Rhys Patchell who is due to make his debut for the Scarlets at the coveted outside half position Pivac went on to say; “He brings a lot of speed to the position, his positional play in terms of taking ball to the line and he’s a genuine threat. At training he’s directing the troops around the field, he’s a good communicator.”

Pivac is also looking forward to seeing some of the region’s young homegrown talent make their debuts, he went on to say; “There are a lot of players we’ll have a look at this weekend because they’ve trained well. Ioan Nicholas is looking very good at training, Declan Smith at halfback is fitting in well as are the three young hookers – they’re all impressing at training. Steff Hughes is also training very well and looking very good.”

Scarlets team to take on Exeter Chiefs, Saturday 13^th August at Sandy Park, kick-off 2.30pm;

15 Aled Thomas, 14 Ioan Nicholas, 13 Steff Hughes, 12 Hadleigh Parkes [c], 11 Steff Evans, 10 Rhys Patchell, 9 Jonathan Evans, 1 Dylan Evans, 2 Ryan Elias, 3 Peter Edwards, 4 Rynier Bernardo, 5 Tom Price, 6 Aaron Shingler, 7 Will Boyde, 8 Morgan Allen

Replacements: Wyn Jones, Taylor Davies, Dafydd Hughes, Werner Kruger, Will Taylor, David Bulbring, Tadhg Beirne, Lewis Rawlins, Josh Macleod, Tom Phillips, Declan Smith, Dan Jones, Richard Smith, Matthew Owen