News
Preview: Saracens v Scarlets
October 02 2008
Simon Easterby is back to captain the Scarlets for the trip to Saracens in the EDF Energy Cup on Sunday, returning from injury along with fellow forwards Kees Meeuws and Simon Maling.
Scarlets coach Nigel Davies told a Stradey Park press conference on Thursday that he was happy to have his older heads back.
"It's good to have them back - they're three high quality players with lots of experience and they'll definitely bring something to this match," he said.
"This has been a big week for us coming on the back of two Friday away trips which have meant a change to training schedules and the boys coming back have had a positive impact."
Easterby said he was eager to put behind him two weeks of frustration.
"I didn't expect to be out for two games but we've all worked hard this week and I'm looking forward to Sunday's game which will be a real test for us," he said.
"But we're excited by the start of a new EDF competition and we're committed to having a real crack at it."
Owen Farrell will become the youngest player in the history of the EDF Energy Cup and Guinness Premiership if he takes to the field against the Scarlets, having been named on the bench for Saracens.
Owen, son of injured Andy Farrell, will be 17 years and 11 days on Sunday, and will become the youngest to appear in either competition - beating Danny Cipriani by 36 days (17 years and 47 days) when he featured for Wasps at Bristol in the Powergen Cup in December 2004.
For Sunday's game, Director of Rugby Eddie Jones has demonstrated the strength in depth within his squad by making 14 changes to his starting line-up for the Scarlets clash - but has still selected a side that boasts just under 1,000 appearances for Saracens and over 100 test caps.
Form: Saracens have won three of their last four "home" games although two of these wins were gained at the Milton Keynes stadiummk and Twickenham. Saracens have lost all four previous games they have played against Welsh opponents in the EDF Energy Cup. Scarlets have lost their last two games in the Magners League, but both were away from home in Scotland, against Edinburgh and Glasgow. Scarlets have won only one of their last eight games played in England: 32-25 at London Irish in the European Cup on 20 October 2006. The two sides have met just once before: in Round 3 of the EDF Energy Cup last season at Stradey Park where the home side won 36-32.
The teams:
Saracens: 15 Dan Scarbrough, 14 Edd Thrower, 13 Francisco Leonelli, 12 Alex Goode, 11 Noah Cato, 10 Gordon Ross, 9 Moses Rauluni (c), 8 Ben Skirving, 7 Andy Saull, 6 Don Barrell, 5 Kris Chesney, 4 Harry Spencer, 3 Tom Mercey, 2 Matt Cairns, 1 Nick Lloyd.
Replacements: 16 Alex Walker, 17 Cobus Visagie, 18 Hayden Smith, 19 Jackson Wray, 20 Mickey Wilson, 21 Owen Farrell, 22 Rodd Penney.
Scarlets: 15 Ceiron Thomas, 14 Mark Jones, 13 Regan King, 12 Gavin Evans, 11 Nathan Brew, 10 Stephen Jones, 9 Martin Roberts, 8 David Lyons, 7 Gavin Thomas, 6 Simon Easterby (c), 5 Simon Maling, 4 Vernon Cooper, 3 Kees Meeuws, 2 Matthew Rees, 1 Iestyn Thomas.
Replacements: 16 Phil John, 17 Ken Owens, 18 Scott MacLeod, 19 Nathan Thomas, 20 Sililo Martens, 21 Rob Higgitt, 22 Rhys Priestland.
Date: Sunday, October 5
Venue: Vicarage Road
Kick-off: 15:00 BST
Referee: James Jones (Wales)
Touch judges: Phil Connett (Wales), Mike Bethell (Wales)
Television match official: Roy Marfleet (England)