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 (kick-off 3pm).
Davies has re-selected a number of key individuals for the big home tie with stalwart No 8, David Lyons returning after being rested last week and captaining the side.
Also back is full back talent Daniel Evans, man-of-the-match in the Scarlets’ memorable European Cup London Irish victory, following Morgan Stoddart’s return to the Wales camp this week.
Impressive performances by locks Dominic Day and Lou Reed already this season means they secure their places back after being ruled fit this week. Leading performer last weekend against Quins, Ken Owens is back at hooker.
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’re mindful of the fact that we have two weeks off coming up so we can afford maybe to play one of two players who have played quite a bit already before we build-up to Edinburgh in early December and the big European game against Leinster on December 12th at Parc y Scarlets.
“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.”
Davies added: “Warriors 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.”
Scarlets team:
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.