The Scarlets’ new interim director of rugby has named the side to face Northampton Saints in the Champions Cup on Sunday
Scarlets’ interim director of rugby Nigel Davies has named his first side since returning to the region, making three changes for their Champions Cup clash against Northampton Saints this weekend.
The Welsh side are yet to win a game in Europe this season, but still have hope of playing knockout rugby as they head to Franklin’s Gardens on Sunday. However, Friday’s clash between Pau and Bulls will determine whether they can sneak through into the next round of the Champions Cup by stunning the English giants, or whether they are playing for a spot in the Challenge Cup.
While Davies’ surprise return has caused a bit of a stir, with the former Scarlets boss now working above head coach Dwayne Peel, he has kept it simple in naming his first matchday squad in the role, making only a few changes from their defeat to Pau.
Wales fly-half Sam Costelow returns from an ankle injury having been sorely missed by his side in recent weeks, while Jac Davies is selected at full-back and lock Max Douglas is back from suspension to partner Jake Ball in the Scarlets engine room.
However, in more concerning news for Steve Tandy, who will name his squad for the Six Nations next week, Welsh wing Tom Rogers has been ruled out of the match with a groin injury, with Blair Murray and Ellis Mee moving to the left and right wings respectively.
Joe Hawkins moves to inside centre following Costelow’s return, with Davies adamant that is the position he should be playing going forward. Eddie James is outside him in place of Joe Roberts, who picked up an ankle injury last weekend.
Archie Hughes continues at scrum-half, while the forward pack is largely unchanged with the exception of Douglas’ return.
Kemsley Mathias, Ryan Elias and Henry Thomas start up front, with Taine Plumtree, Fletcher Anderson and skipper Josh Macleod in the back row.
Tomi Lewis, Macs Page and Gareth Davies form the backline cover on the bench, with Marnus van der Merwe, Alec Hepburn, Harri O’Connor and Dan Davis also named on the bench alongside flanker Jarrod Taylor, who comes into the matchday squad.
After naming his first side since returning to the Scarlets, Davies said: “Mindset and belief is a big thing for us.
“Northampton are a fantastic team and will be hot favourites and understandably so – we have to make sure we are in the right place to perform.
“I’m excited by the group. We have got some tremendous coaches and players and have a great opportunity to go up against one of the best teams in Europe and show what we’re about.”
Scarlets: 15. Jac Davies; 14 Ellis Mee, 13 Eddie James, 12 Joe Hawkins, 11 Blair Murray; 10 Sam Costelow, 9 Archie Hughes; 1 Kemsley Mathias, 2 Ryan Elias, 3 Henry Thomas, 4 Max Douglas, 5 Jake Ball, 6 Taine Plumtree, 7 Josh Macleod (capt), 8 Fletcher Anderson.
Replacements: 16 Marnus van der Merwe, 17 Alec Hepburn, 18 Harri O’Connor, 19 Jarrod Taylor, 20 Dan Davis, 21 Gareth Davies, 22 Macs Page, 23 Tomi Lewis.
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