News

Preview: Scarlets v Harlequins

October 10 2008

The Scarlets have named their side for what will be the last ever game of Heineken Cup rugby to be played at Stradey Park, as they welcome Harlequins on Saturday.

Wallaby number eight David Lyons will make his tournament debut, and features in an impressive looking back row that also includes captain Simon Easterby and Gavin Thomas.

Former All Black prop Kees Meeuws is fit again and starts at tighthead prop, with fellow New Zealander Simon Maling packing down behind him in the second row.

Welsh international brings some experience to the back three, that also features Morgan Stoddart and Darren Daniel.

Head Coach Nigel Davies knows his side need to start with a bang.

"I think we've got a well-balanced draw," he said.

"It's fairly evenly matched and will be a very competitive group. I think there are some opportunities for us here but essentially it's down to form and who hits the ground running."

Meanwhile, Harlequins are - bar the absence of David Strettle and Nick Evans - back at full strength for the trip to West Wales.

Chris Malone is rewarded for his consistency at fly-half with a starting spot ahead of Fijian Waisea Luveniyali, and teams up with the in-form Danny Care.

Up front, the pack is the same as the one that was so impressive in Quins' Guinness Premiership victory over Worcester ten days ago, with Will Skinner leading the side from the flank.

Form: Quins have won three of their five opening games, although they were victims of their own success as they let a perfect start to the season slip with defeats against Gloucester and London Irish. The Scarlets are also three from five in the Magners League, and just as Quins did, they too let a perfect start to the season slip with consecutive defeats in Scotland, first to Edinburgh and then to Glasgow

Prediction: Interesting call... Quins have a habit of starting strongly and finishing limply, for the Scarlets it's the other way round. But we think the Quins' start might be too strong here. Quins by 5.I>

The Teams:

Scarlets: 15 Morgan Stoddart, 14 Darren Daniel, 13 Regan King, 12 Gavin Evans, 11 Mark Jones, 10 Stephen Jones, 9 Sililo Martens, 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 Ken Owens, 17 Phil John, 18 Scott MacLeod, 19 Nathan Thomas, 20 Martin Roberts, 21 Ceiron Thomas, 22 Rob Higgitt.

Harlequins:15 Mike Brown, 14 Charlie Amesbury, 13 Gonzalo Tiesi, 12 Jordan Turner-Hall, 11 Ugo Monye, 10 Chris Malone, 9 Danny Care, 8 Tom Guest, 7 Will Skinner (c), 6 Chris Robshaw, 5 Jim Evans, 4 Ollie Kohn, 3 Mike Ross, 2 Gary Botha, 1 Ceri Jones.

Replacements: 16 Tani Fuga, 17 Mark Lambert, 18 George Robson, 19 Nick Easter, 20 Andy Gomarsall, 21 Epi Taione, 22 Waisea Luveniyali.

Date: Saturday 11 October, 2008

Kick-off: 15:30 BST (14:30 GMT)

Venue: Stradey Park

Referee: Christophe Berdos (France)