After two bruising battles against the big English club last season in the Heineken Cup, the Scarlets say they are looking forward to hosting the Tigers back at Parc y Scarlets.
The Scarlets meet Leicester after a strong performance and bonus point win (33-17) against Edinburgh last weekend at Parc y Scarlets in the RaboDirect Pro12 league.
Those unavailable for selection include current skipper Iestyn Thomas, Prop (calf strain), Nick Reynolds, wing/centre (ankle), Lou Reed, second row (knee), Josh Turnbull, back row (shoulder), Andy Fenby, wing (ankle), Gareth Maule, centre (ankle), Lee Williams, wing (fracture cheekbone), Gareth Davies (groin).
Credited for playing a crucial role in the development of elite players, the LV= Cup competition will be an opportunity for Scarlets next generation to take their opportunities.
Chances have been handed to a group of new young Scarlets including no 8 Kieran Murphy, 24, from Mumbles, wing Liam Williams, 20, from Swansea, centre Adam Warren, 20 from Burry Port who scored two tries last weekend on his competitive Scarlets debut and 20 year-old former Trimsaran RFC wing Dale Ford (see biogs below).
It will also be the first opportunity for the Scarlets home crowd to welcome new lock signing Sione Timani, who starts on the bench. The Tongan second row has been signed on a two-year contract. The 26-year-old played for Carmarthen Quins in the Welsh Premiership last season and impressed for Tonga in the World Cup. At 19 stone, 6ft 5in Timani is the brother of Sitaleki Timani, who starred at lock for Australian Super Rugby side the Waratahs last season.
“For us it’s great that Leicester may come with strong team and we’ll have to be on top of our game to be competitive,” said Nigel Davies. “There will be a big emphasis on set piece and when you come up against the big teams in this competition or in Europe, it is vitally important to get that right.
“I’ve been pleased with how our scrum has gone so far, it’s given us a platform to build off and with the likes of Matthew Rees now coming back into the pack soon, we are building not only for the immediate games but looking ahead as well.”
Davies added: “The LV= Cup is an excellent platform for young, up and coming players to shine and foster the next generation of talented players which is a big part of our philosophy and vision as Scarlets.”
Scarlets: 15 Daniel Evans, 14 Liam Williams, 13 Rhodri Gomer Davies, 12 Adam Warren, 11 Dale Ford, 10 Aled Thomas, 9 Ruki Tipuna, 1 Phil John, 2 Kirby Myhill, 3 Rhodri Jones, 4 Dominic Day 5 Damian Welch 6 Matt Gilbert, 7 Johnathan Edwards, 8 Kieran Murphy.
Replacements: Simon Gardner, Craig Hawkins, Peter Edwards, Sione Timani, Richie Pugh, Aled Davies, Jordan Williams, Lee Rees.
