Preview: Wasps v Scarlets
Matthew Rees starts for the Scarlets against Wasps this Saturday, after being released by Wales before the start of the Six Nations.
Matthew Rees starts for the Scarlets against Wasps this Saturday, after being released by Wales before the start of the Six Nations.
With the region missing their internationals – Stephen Jones, Jonathan Davies, Martin Roberts who joined Wales this week and wing/centre Sean Lamont up in Scotland, the Scarlets are looking to their talented youngsters to deliver against a strong Wasps line-up.
The Scarlets, like Wasps are unbeaten in the LV=Cup and both sides top their pools after two rounds. In what promises to be a keenly contested match as both sides have everything to play for in their bid to get to the latter stages of the competition. The champion is also guaranteed a place in next term's Heineken Cup.
Scarlets Head Coach Nigel Davies has chosen to rest some key Scarlets players following a packed rugby schedule in December and early January including current captain and no 8 stalwart David Lyons and hooker Ken Owens.
But the long-awaited return to the Scarlets squad of star centre Regan King, who is named on the bench this Saturday, will be a welcome boost to the rugby region and its supporters.
King suffered a serious hamstring injury in March last year and has been out for close to 11 months. The quick-footed and elusive centre, renowned in Europe for his vision, speed and agility is looking forward to getting back onto the field, however the Scarlets Head Coach said it will take time before Regan performs back at his top level.
“It's great for us to see Regan back and fit again but we have to recognise and respect just how long he's been out, so we are not expecting a great deal from him in these early games,” said Davies.
Centre Rob Higgitt, 28, is handed the captaincy another LV= Cup game, following his performance leading a youthful Scarlets' side to an impressive 15-15 draw against Harlequins in the competition in early November last year. 19-year-old scrum-half Tavis Knoyle returns from injury to start.
“We have brought back a lot of players who haven't played since the last round of LV= Cup games. They played particularly well during that phase of our season and certainly gave us a lift at that time. A number of these players have been itching for another opportunity and will be really up for this game,” Davies continued.
“There has been a good energy in this group at the moment, and the younger players shown real character in the last three games. They've taken a lot out of it as individuals and they have contributed a lot to get us in a better position.
“Wasps have lost key players on international duty, but having said that their team will be still be very strong – particularly behind the scrum and it will be a very physical game.
“We expect them to be very competitive, they're a very aggressive group and they look to dominate teams. The physicality of it will be evident and that is the first thing we have to go out and do – to match them physically.
“We knew that would be the case out in Brive last weekend and our pack of forwards fronted up very well. If we give that same level of commitment and endeavour then we give ourselves a chance.”
Meanwhile, London Wasps will welcome Joe Worsley back to their starting line up.
The Lions and England back row makes a return to play following recovery from a Grade 3 Medial Collateral Ligament injury to his right knee, sustained in England v New Zealand during the Autumn. For Worsley this marks his 7th Club appearance of the season and his 282nd competitive run-out in black and gold.
Alongside Worsley, Dan Leo and Will Matthews start in place of the injured Serge Betsen, who sustained a blow to the elbow in Wasps clash with Racing-Metro, and George Skivington, who captains the Saxons at The Rec this weekend.
John Hart skippers the Wasps outfit on home turf, packing down behind a changed front row which includes new signing Sakaria Taulafo, Joe Ward and former Scarlet Ben Broster.
With Dominic Waldouck also part of the Saxons squad, Steve Kefu partners Ben Jacobs in midfield and Dave Walder and Warren Fury form a new half back pairing. On the bench Academy front row forwards Tom Lindsay and Bob Baker, who were on Friday confirmed as the most recent graduates of the Wasps Academy, are named alongside Rugby League convert Lee Smith – part of match 23 for the first time since joining the Club.
“It's an important game for both sides and our visitors form in the last two weeks of the Heineken Cup has been very impressive; beating a very good London Irish team and winning away to Brive,” said Director of Rugby Tony Hanks.
“The absence of our internationals and Saxons provides opportunities for us to make full use of our squad against a strong Welsh outfit.
“Despite our injury concerns, I think it shows the growth and development of the squad making the Amlin quarter-finals whilst still challenging for a semi-final place in the LV=Cup.
Form: Wasps have won both of their matches in the LV= Cup this season – one of only two teams to do so (the other is Northampton). The Londoners only victory in their last four encounters in all competitions was 50-16 at home to Roma on 14 January. Wasps have won their last four games in the LV= Cup and also won their last three matches against Welsh opponents. Scarlets have won their last three games in all competitions and are unbeaten in this season's LV= Cup, having drawn 15-all at Harlequins and beaten Worcester 32-17 at Parc y Scarlets. The Scarlets are unbeaten in their last four matches against English opponents. Scarlets' only win in six previous encounters with London Wasps was 21-13 at Stradey Park in the European Cup on 11 December 2005. The two teams have met once before in the history of this tournament: the 2006 final at Twickenham which Wasps won 26-10.
The teams:
Wasps: 15 Mark Van Gisbergen, 14 Tom Varndell, 13 Ben Jacobs, 12 Steve Kefu, 11 David Lemi, 10 Dave Walder , 9 Warren Fury, 8 John Hart (c), 7 Will Matthews, 6 Joe Worsley, 5 Dan Leo, 4 Marty Veale, 3 Ben Broster, 2 Joe Ward, 1 Sakaria Taulafo.
Replacements:16 Tom Lindsay, 17 Gabriel Bocca, 18 Bob Baker, 19 Hugo Ellis, 20 Mark Odejobi, 21 James Honeyben, 22 Lachlan Mitchell, 23 Lee Smith.
Scarlets: 15 Daniel Evans, 14 Lee Williams, 13 Gareth Maule, 12 Rob Higgitt (captain), 11 Andy Fenby, 10 Rhys Priestland, 9 Tavis Knoyle, 8 Josh Turnbull, 7Johnathan Edwards, 6 Rob McCusker, 5 Damian Welch, 4 Lou Reed, 3 Deacon Manu, 2 Matthew Rees, 1 Phil John.
Replacements: 16 Iestyn Thomas, 17 Emyr Phillips, 18 Rhys Thomas, 19 Vernon Cooper, 20 Richie Pugh, 21 Daniel Newton, 22 Regan King 23 Joe Ajuwa.
Date: Saturday, January 30
Kick-off: 17:45
Venue: Adams Parks
Referee: Dean Richards (England)
Assistant referees: Chris White (England), Ken Stewart (England)
Television match official: Geoff Warren (England), Roy Marfleet