Scarlets young gun Jonathan Davies admits he faces the best centre partnership in Europe against Leinster tomorrow.
Davies, who made his Wales debut in last month’s victory against Argentina now aims to take the next step against Ireland pair Brian O’Driscoll and Gordon D’Arcy at Parc y Scarlets.
Davies said: “They are probably one of the best centre partnerships in Europe today. They are strong over the ball but most of all they understand each other so well together that they almost play as one. They know what the other is going to do next.”
The Scarlets are the only team from Britain and Ireland to win both their opening games of the Heineken Cup following wins against Brive and London Irish.
But Davies will have the weight of expectation on his shoulders against the champions with five first-choice players missing. Matthew Rees, Dafydd Jones, Mark Jones, Morgan Stoddart and Regan King are all out.
Davies said: “We’ve had a great start to the campaign but we can’t afford to fall flat on our faces again so we have to make sure we win.
“That would put us in a really strong position and not playing catch up, but Leinster are a quality outfit. It’s going to be a huge clash.”
Scarlets: D Evans, A Fenby, S Lamont, J Davies, L Williams, S Jones, M Roberts, I Thomas, K Owens, D Manu, L Reed, D Day, S Easterby [capt], R Pugh, D Lyons
Replacements: E Phillips, P John, J Corsi, V Cooper, R McCusker, T Knoyle, R Priestland, G Maule
Leinster: R Kearney, S Horgan, B O’Driscoll, G D’Arcy, I Nacewa, S Berne, E Reddan, C Healy, J Fogarty, C Van Der Linde, L Cullen [capt], N Hines, K McLaughlin, S O’Brien, J Heaslip
Replacements: B Jackman, M Ross, S Wright, M O’Kelly, S Keogh, P O’Donohoe, F McFadden, G Dempsey
Referee: Chris White (England)
