Match Preview: Scarlets v Cardiff Rugby

Dwayne Peel and Gethin Jenkins were long-time team-mates for Wales and the Lions, but this weekend they will be locking horns on the coaching front.
Scarlets boss Peel has a lot of respect for Jenkins who has rejoined Cardiff after a couple of years with the national set-up.

“Gethin has come back in as defence coach and you can see his characteristics in the team,” he said. “He was an uncompromising player and he has brought that level of intensity and steel to them. Cardiff have got some good athletes and they will be a tough team. I felt they had a bit of edge about them against the Dragons last week.

“Thomas Young coming back in the mix is huge for them with what he brings. I think he’s a very good player. In derby games, you’ve got to be right up for it and I’m looking forward to seeing the boys fly into that. It’s a first game at home for us, so it’s a big one.”

The Scarlets welcome back Wales scrum-half Gareth Davies, while another World Cup player, Tonga’s Vaea Fifita, returns from suspension at No 8, as they look to turn things around after two heavy defeats out in South Africa.

Cardiff, for their part, introduce their own Tongan international at No 8 in the fit-again Lopeti Timani, which sees Seb Davies reverting to lock. Their defence coach Jenkins is expecting a stern test from the Scarlets.

“They’ve obviously had a tough start to the season, but we’ve been around long enough to know South Africa is a tough place to go,” said the former Test prop.
“We’ll see the best Scarlets they’ve probably been this season and we know what’s coming from them. They Are a proud bunch and they’ve got good support, so it’s going to be a tough challenge for us.”

Scarlets v Cardiff Rugby

Parc Y Scarlets, Llanelli – KO 17.15 IRE & UK / 18.15 ITA / 19.15 SA

Referee: Adam Jones (WRU, 31 st league game)

AR 1:  Elgan Williams (WRU)  AR 2: Keith David (WRU)

TMO: Jon Mason (WRU)

Live on: Viaplay, Premier Sports, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv

Scarlets: Johnny McNicholl; Ioan Nicholas, Joe Roberts, Eddie James, Steff Evans; Ioan Lloyd, Gareth Davies (CAPT), Kemsley Mathias, Shaun Evans, Sam Wainwright, Alex Craig, Jac Price, Ben Williams, Teddy Leatherbarrow, Vaea Fifita.

Replacements: Isaac Young, Steff Thomas, Wyn Jones, Iwan Shenton, Carwyn Tuipulotu, Archie Hughes, Charlie Titcombe, Jonathan Davies.

Cardiff Rugby: C Winnett; A Summerhill, R Lee-Lo, B Thomas, T Cabango; T de Beer, E Bevan; R Carré, L Belcher (CAPT), R Litterick, S Lewis-Hughes, S Davies, A Mann, T Young, L Timani.

Replacements: E Daniel R Barratt, W Davies-King, R Thornton, E Jenkins, Jamie Hill, M Clark, H Millard