By then they will know exactly what they have to do after Cardiff Blues host the Ospreys the day before at the Arms Park. Both teams could overtake the table-topping Scarlets, but a win for the west Walians in round six will book their ticket into the final.
Awaiting the winners of the Welsh Conference is a tie against either of the two unbeaten Irish provinces, Leinster or Munster. They meet at Dublin’s Donnybrook ground this weekend to see who goes through to the final.
“If we win we are through to a final, if we lose we’re not. It has been a really good campaign for the players and the senior players at the Scarlets have all bought into the concept,” said Scarlets head coach Richard Kelly.
“The competition has given the players the chance to really sample the life of a rugby professional by training and playing consistently together. The travelling has also been great experience and the quality of the Irish sides certainly hasn’t disappointed.
“We had two very close games against Leinster and Munster and they taught the players a lot about what they need to do to improve. A lot of these players can now go on to play for the PRO14 side during the November international period.”
Kelly will have the Scarlets’ summer signing from South Africa, Clayton Blommetjies, at full back once again. He is one of a number of players who have turned out for the senior Scarlets already this season, while highly promising openside Dan Davis is another, along with scrum half Kieran Hardy.
The Dragons led Leinster 21-12 at the break last weekend before finally going down 48-29 at Ystrad Mynach. The Scarlets were beaten 16-10 at home by Leinster and would love to have another crack at them in the final if they get past Munster.
The Dragons have recalled Wales U20 scrum half Dan Babos as one of five changes to the side that battled so long and hard against Leinster last weekend. He is the only change behind the scrum, while up front there is an all new front row with Scott Evans and Zac Hewlett packing down with Chris Coleman.
James Thomas moves from the back row to the second row, where Max Williams is given a start at lock. The final change is the selection of Ben Fry at blindside flanker, where he will play alongside captain Lennon Greggains and Taine Basham.
Blues head coach Richie Rees was delighted with his side’s bonus point win in Galway last weekend. The 26-12 win over Connacht Eagles kept their hopes alive of a place in the Celtic Cup final, which will be played on Welsh soil.
“As coaches, what we’ve asked from the boys is to improve week-to-week. That’s our aim, and it’s been really pleasing to see the work from the training ground being put into practice in a competitive game scenario,” said Rees.
“We’re back home against the Ospreys, which will be a bit of a derby. Hopefully, we’ll be able to put in a similar performance to the opening 40 minutes in Galway.”
Wales’ most capped player, Gethin Jenkins, will continue his return to fitness with a second outing in the tournament as he joins Liam Belcher and Will Davies-King in the front row. Jenkins also acts as the defence coach for the side.
The Ospreys beat the Scarlets in their opening fixture, but since then haven’t been able to add another victory. Head coach Richard Fussell is hoping to put last week’s frustrating performance against Ulster out of mind and get a better return on the possession his team gains.
“We’ve taken a lot from the competition and there’s been big learnings for us as a group. We’ve set ourselves challenges weekly and we’ve got an opportunity to put those right against the Blues,” said Fussell.
“The boys showed intent and good fight towards the end of last week’s game, we just need to put in a full 80 minute performance rather than just reaction. We need to be more proactive on the pitch.”
CELTIC CUP – ROUND 6
Saturday, 13 October
Cardiff Blues v Ospreys (Arms Park, 2.30pm)
Blues: Dan Fish; Corey Howells, Cam Lewis, Max Llewellyn, Harri Millard; Steven Shingler, Jamie Hill; Gethin Jenkins, Liam Belcher, Will Davies-King, Shane Lewis-Hughes, James Down, Sion Bennett, Sion Edwards, Alun Lawrence (captain)
Reps: Cameron Lewis, Rhys Carré, Ben Warren, Callum Bradbury, Ioan Rhys Davies, Dane Blacker, Ben Jones, Ioan Davies
Ospreys: Dylan Moss; Ben Cambriani, Tom Williams, Callum Carson, Dewi Cross; Josh Thomas, Matthew Aubrey; Jordan Walters, Ifan Phillips, Rhys Henry, Matthew Dodd, James Ratti, Jamie Williams, Charlie Davies, Morgan Morris (captain)
Reps: Garin Lloyd, Rhys Davies, Alex Jeffries, Iwan Shenton, Joe Grabham, Reuben Morgan-Williams, Joe Jenkins, Caine Woolerton
Sunday, 14 October
Scarlets v Dragons (Llandovery, 2.30pm)
Scarlets: Clayton Blommetjies; Morgan Williams, Corey Baldwin, Ioan Nicholas, Ryan Conbeer; Steff Hughes (captain), Kieran Hardy; Rhys Fawcett, Marc Jones, Simon Gardiner, Josh Helps, Morgan Jones, Shaun Evans, Dan Davis, Joe Miles
Reps: Dafydd Hughes, Kemsley Mathias, Javan Sebastian, Chris Long, Stuart Worrell, Declan Smith, Jac Wilson, Osian Knott
Dragons: Carwyn Penny; Calvin Wellington, Tom Hoppe, James Benjamin, Deon Smith; Jacob Botica, Dan Babos; Scott Evans, Zac Hewlett, Chris Coleman, James Thomas, Max Williams, Ben Fry, Lennon Greggains (captain), Taine Basham
Reps: Brodie Coghlan, Josh Reynolds, Luke Yendle, Ed Scragg, Rob Brookson, Dafydd Buckland, Llew Smith, Will Kelly
