Preview: Scarlets v Cardiff Blues
Dai Young has opted not to pick his returning Welsh Grand Slam winners for Good Friday's Magners League clash against the Scarlets at Stradey Park.
Dai Young has opted not to pick his returning Welsh Grand Slam winners for Good Friday's Magners League clash against the Scarlets at Stradey Park.
Martyn Williams, Gethin Jenkins and Tom Shanklin are all left out by Young, who instead keeps faith with the bulk of the side that kept their Magners League hopes alive with a thrilling win over Munster last time out.
There are just three changes from that side including a return to the starting XV for Scott Morgan.
Morgan comes into the second row where he partners Deniol Jones, who himself was capped during Wales' Grand Slam campaign.
The other two changes see fly-half Nick Macleod return in place of Rhys Jones and T Rhys Thomas start at hooker.
Both Dai Flanagan and Marc Stcherbina return from injury to take their places on the bench, where they are joined by another player to be involved in the Six Nations – Gareth Williams. Williams did not play, despite being called onto the bench for the game against Ireland.
Scarlets Director of Rugby Phil Davies will start both Stephen Jones and Dwayne Peel, although fellow Grand Slam winner Matthew Rees has to settle for a place on the bench.
With several injury worries in the squad Davies has named an extended bench, with the final seven replacements being named on Good Friday.
Form: The Scarlets' only win in their last six matches in all competitions was 30-7 at home to Glasgow Warriors in the Magners League on 15 February. The Scarlets have won their last four matches at Stradey Park in the Magners League. Cardiff Blues ended a three game losing streak in the Magners League with victory at home to Munster on 1 March. The Blues have won three of their last four matches against fellow Welsh regions. The last six encounters between the two teams have all gone the way of the home side on the day, whilst the Blues have lost on all four previous visits to Stradey Park.
The Teams:
Scarlets: 15 Morgan Stoddart, 14 Dafydd James, 13 Regan King, 12 Gavin Evans, 11 Nathan Brew, 10 Stephen Jones, 9 Dwayne Peel (c), 8 Alix Popham, 7 Gavin Thomas, 6 Dafydd Jones, 5 Lou Reed, 4 Adam Eustace, 3 Deacon Manu, 2 Mahonri Schwalger, 1 Iestyn Thomas.
Replacements: (from) Phil John, Matthew Rees, Scott MacLeod, James Bater, Gavin Cattle, Rhys Priestland, Matthew Watkins, Jonathan Davies, Nathan Thomas.
Cardiff Blues: 15 Ben Blair, 14 Jamie Roberts, 13 Jamie Robinson, 12 Gareth Thomas, 11 Tal Selley, 10 Nick Macleod, 9 Richie Rees, 8 Xavier Rush (c), 7 Robin Sowden-Taylor, 6 Maama Molitika, 5 Scott Morgan, 4 Deiniol Jones, 3 Gary Powell, 2 T Rhys Thomas, 1 John Yapp.
Replacements: 16 Taufa'o Filise, 17 Gareth Williams, 18 Mark Lewis, 19 Ben White, 20 Jason Spice, 21 Dai Flanagan, 22 Marc Stcherbina.
Date: Friday 21 March, 2008
Kick-off: 19:10 GMT
Venue: Stradey Park
Referee: Tim Hayes (Wales)
Touch judges: Phil Fear (Wales), Huw Griffiths (Wales)
TMO: Tony Rowlands (Wales)