Scarlets Head Coach Nigel Davies has brought back some of the Scarlets’ big performers for his team’s clash against Worcester Warriors this Saturday in the LV=Cup at Parc y Scarlets (KO 3pm).
On the back of an impressive display last weekend by the young Scarlets side which saw them draw their first round match away at Harlequins, Davies has re-selected a number of key individuals for the big home tie.
No 8, David Lyons, returns after being rested last week and will captain the side. Also back is full back Daniel Evans, following Morgan Stoddart’s return to the Wales camp this week.
Earilier impressive performances by locks Dominic Day and Lou Reed ensures they secure their places back after being ruled fit this week.
On the wing Darren Daniel gets his first start for the region this season after an impressive string of tries in his recent appearances in the Principality Premiership for Carmarthen Quins. Daniel has scored five tries in his last two games (with a hat-trick of touchdowns in the Quins win over Pontypool on November 2nd) and has caught the eye of the Scarlets coaching set-up.
Davies said: “I was very encouraged by the boys’ performance on Sunday and now it’s important after a decent start to build on this and try and capitalise on our home game at Parc y Scarlets on Saturday afternoon. We are bringing a couple of key players back as well as giving opportunities to a couple of new faces and some of the younger players on the back of their impressive performances last weekend at Harlequins.
“Regardless of a new look team last Sunday, there was no drop in the quality or standards that we have set here and they all came up to mark well.
“We are looking to build on last week and have once again given opportunities to some of the hungry, young talent that we have pushing for first team places. We hope they can now step it up another couple of levels this weekend.”
On the Scarlets’ opponents, Worcester, who are coached by former Wales coach Mike Ruddock, Davies added: “For them it’s a competition which can get them into the European Cup and I sure that it’s going to be a priority for them. They play a decent brand of rugby and are coming off the back of a big win over Newcastle last weekend with a good score-line. They are a resilient side, and that result set them up in this competition and it would seem from the side they put out, they’re really targeting the LV=Cup.
“Of course Mike Ruddock will know plenty about playing rugby down here and against us, so it should be an interesting game.”
Prop Iestyn Thomas is not available for selection and is currently resting a minor neck injury.
Scarlets: 15 Daniel Evans, 14 Darren Daniel, 13 Gareth Maule, 12 Rob Higgitt, 11 Andy Fenby, 10 Rhys Priestland, 9 Tavis Knoyle, 1 Phil John, 2 Ken Owens 3 Jamie Corsi, 4 Lou Reed, 5 Dominic Day, 6 Josh Turnbull 7 Richie Pugh 8 David Lyons (captain).
Replacements: 16 Shaun Hopkins 17 Emyr Phillips 18 Simon Gardner 19 Damian Welch 20 Johnathan Edwards 21 Lee Williams 22 Daniel Newton 23 Joe Ajuwa.
