With the exception of the Dragons, who have lost all three games to date, the other regions have bagged two wins apiece from their opening three matches. It makes tonight’s games particularly intriguing with the pick, undoubtedly, at Stradey Park where the Scarlets entertain the Blues.
Having pipped the Dragons 30-29 last week, the Scarlets can take themselves a step closer to the final if they can avenge their opening day defeat at the hands of the Blues back in September.
The capital region were 33-6 winners on that occasion and after going down to the Ospreys next time out, they rectified their playing problems by winning 50-3 against the Dragons last month.
The Scarlets boast an away victory at the Ospreys and last week’s win against the Dragons and would find themselves in a strong position at the top of the takle should they make it three in three.
Blues High Performance Manager Gafyn Cooper is expecting a tough game at Stradey where the Scarlets have proven themselves to be a difficult nut to crack.
“We played well in that opening game, but going away from home to play them will be a different proposition altogether. Having said that, we had an excellent win against the Dragons last time around and the guys are cinfident going into the game.”
Scarlets Team Manager Ken Parfitt said, “We were trailing badly at half time against the Dragons last week, but proved ourselves after the break. We were like a different team. Hopefully we can produce our second half display against the Blues and not our first.”
The Scarlets have rotated their side somewhat with fullback Richard Cunniffe moving on to the bench. However, the outstanding Daniel Evans, who has played for the senior Scarlets this season at fullback, starts at outside half and Wales U20 forward Haydn Pugh (the Principality Premiership player of the month for October) starts in the second row.
The Ospreys are expected to win the other game, at Llandarcy Academy, against the luckless Dragons for whom this season is all but over.
Victories at the Dragons, 41-0, and at home to the Blues 19-10, has put the holders in a good position going into tonight’s games. A bonus point victory would certainly make them warm favourites to land a spot in the final.
Dragons High Performance Manager Ron Shottle said, “Results haven’t gone our way this season, but as people can see from our first half display last week at Llandovery, when we put our minds to it, we can play.”
Scarlets: D Newton; M Lemon, R Williams, R O Williams, J Harries, D Evans, M Gibson; O Evans, S Thomas, M Evans, J Kierney, H Pugh, D Zangouras, N Cudd, L Phillips (Capt)
Replacements: G Flynn, G Robinson, C Jenkins, A Harries, L Kendall, G Davies, R Cunniffe
Blues:
Replacements: M Howells, S Andrews, J Camnt, L Mills, L Williams, J Williams, J Loxton.
Dragons:
Replacements: W Griffiths, L Harwood, G Young, J Jacas, L Evans, G Dare, J Leadbetter
