Table-topping Scarlets give rising star Jordan Williams his first senior start at full back while Australian second row Jake Ball (21) is on the bench. And while that duo may be at the beginning of their Scarlets career, prop Phil John is at the other end of the spectum as he will be making his 200th regional apperance.
“We are going there to build on our performances in the opening two games and if our set-piece and kick-offs go well, hopefully we can have enough possession to create something with the back line we have,” said John.
“We have targeted these first six games to get as many points as possible. In the past, come the middle of March, we have been chasing points. Hopefully, by Christmas we will still be in the top four and can take it from there.”
Scarlets Attack Coach Mark Jones added: “We haven’t had a great record at the Sportsground and have tripped up on our last two visits with narrow losses, so we don’t want to put ourselves in a position where we are fighting a tight margin at the end of the game.
“We knew we needed to get off to a strong start in our first six games. Last weekend in Glasgow gave us a better indication of where we were, we did a good defensive job, put the ball in the right areas and nailed our opportunities.
“And it’s good to see those chances being taken. Part of our story last season was we just couldn’t finish off at key times, but our back three have started very well and it’s been good to see seven of our 10 tries this season come from the backs. Our centre partnership is working well and it’s good that Jonathan (Davies) and Scott (Williams) have had time training together now here at Parc y Scarlets – rather than just with Wales.
“The key thing is that the team is complimenting those strike players; we have good width in our attack and the players are excited to get ball in their hands and are working hard to get onto the ball.
“We have to maintain this type of intent in the group, but so far so good. What we also have to focus on is our ability to develop a tighter game as well so we have potent attacking options in other areas of our game, particularly when the weather isn’t so good.”
Scarlets 15 Jordan Williams, 14 George North, 13 Jonathan Davies (capt), 12 Scott Williams, 11 Nick Reynolds 10 Rhys Priestland, 9 Gareth Davies, 1 Phil John, 2 Matthew Rees, 3 Samson Lee, 4 Sione Timani, 5 Richard Kelly, 6 Josh Turnbull, 7 Johnathan Edwards, 8 Kieran Murphy.
Replacements: 16 Ken Owens, 17 Peter Edwards, 18 Deacon Manu, 19 Jake Ball, 20 Rob McCusker, 21 Aled Davies, 22 Aled Thomas, 23 Gareth Maule.
