Ken Owens’ side may have won their last 10 derbies, including their last visit to the Ospreys, but this game has a far more open feel to it than in recent years. And given the announcement earlier in the week that Stephen Jones will be joining Wayne Pivac in the new Welsh coaching team next year, it will have almost be an early national trial game.
“These derbies are almost our trial matches for national squad selection to see how players go against each other and see how combinations work as well,” admitted Owens.
“There are plenty of sub-plots, but for us, it is about worrying about us this week, turning up and putting in a performance that has been lacking at times this year. Europe has been disappointing, but it is gone and now we go back to the PRO14.
“We are second in our Conference and we can park one competition and focus on another. In a local derby like this the form book goes out of the window.”
The Scarlets will find former heroes Scott Williams, Aled Davies and George North facing them and Justin Tipuric’s home side will boast no fewer than 12 Welsh caps in their starting XV. The Ospreys have a formidable home record, with just one defeat in 12 in all competitions, while the last three clashes between the teams have been decided by a total of just seven points.
The Scarlets have won only once on the road this season, 41-34 against Southern Kings in Port Elizabeth on 26 October, but they have won their last four against their bitterest of rivals.
