Preview: Scarlets v Ospreys

The Scarlets have named a strong 22-man squad to face the Ospreys on Boxing Day at Parc y Scarlets in front of a sell-out crowd.

The Scarlets have named a strong 22-man squad to face the Ospreys on Boxing Day at Parc y Scarlets in front of a sell-out crowd.

The region is expecting its biggest ever Parc y Scarlets crowd for the highly charged local derby. The largest crowd recorded to date was 14,400 when the Scarlets played the Barbarians at the official opening of Parc y Scarlets in January this year.

Scarlets supporters have been given an added Christmas boost with news that international winger Morgan Stoddart is back to fitness after his hamstring injury picked up with Wales, and will start for the team on Boxing Day.

Head Coach Nigel Davies said the squad were really looking forward to the derby: “We are really excited about this fixture as I am sure the Ospreys are. It will be great to perform in front of a full house and we're looking forward to a noisy atmosphere.

“With the disappointment of our last two games, its great to see we have such a big support behind us on Saturday and now we've got to give our supporters something to cheer about.

“If there ever needed to be any added significance for this game – there certainly is for this one on Boxing Day. This fixture is about more than individuals, it is a massive game in its own right and is all about passion and pride and the team that wants it most will win it.”

Ospreys Head Coach, Sean Holley, commented: “It's a match that everybody at the Ospreys are all looking forward to, supporters, players, coaches alike. It's always a busy time of year for us, with the Magners League throwing up big local derbies, sandwiched in between important Heineken Cup games, and you can't fail to be excited by the prospect.

“There's going to be a big crowd at Parc Y Scarlets on Saturday, just as there will be at the Liberty Stadium the following weekend, and players love to be involved in these events. There's local bragging rights at stake, one upmanship between the players, but we mustn't lose sight of the biggest reward, which is a place in the play-offs at the end of the season.”

Form: Scarlets' only victory in their last seven Magners League matches was 18-3 at home to Newport Gwent Dragons on 23 October. Ospreys have won their last three games in all competitions, whilst Ospreys have lost their only previous encounter against a fellow Welsh region this season: 12-20 at Cardiff Blues on 24 October. Ospreys achieved a Magners League double over Scarlets last season, winning 28-19 on their only previous visit to Parc y Scarlets on 18 April.

Scarlets: 15 Rhys Priestland, 14 Morgan Stoddart, 13 Sean Lamont, 12 Jonathan Davies, 11 Andy Fenby, 10 Stephen Jones, 9 Martin Roberts, 8 David Lyons (c) 7 Johnathan Edwards, 6 Simon Easterby, 5 Dominic Day, 4 Lou Reed, 3 Deacon Manu, 2 Ken Owens, 1 Phil John.
Replacements: 16 Jamie Corsi, 17 Emyr Phillips, 18 Vernon Cooper, 19 Rob McCusker, 20 Lee Williams, 21 Daniel Evans, 22 Gareth Maule.