Scarlets v Blues: Teams
The Scarlets host Cardiff Blues as the Magners League regular season concludes with a must-win game for both Welsh sides.
Last Updated: 05/05/11 6:59pm
The Scarlets host Cardiff Blues on Friday as the Magners League regular season concludes with a must-win game for both Welsh sides.
The Blues need a win to guarantee their place in the semi-finals, and will be keen to secure the victory with fifth-placed Ospreys playing bottom club Aironi.
The hosts are currently three points adrift of fourth-placed Cardiff, but can still qualify for the play-offs if they win and the Ospreys slip up in Italy.
Wales international Stephen Jones takes up the pivotal fly-half role for the Scarlets with Morgan Stoddart at full-back and George North and Scotland' Sean Lamont on the wings.
The home fans will get the chance to bid farewell to centre Regan King after six years in a Scarlets shirt, while Dominic Day comes in for injured lock Aaron Shingler in the only change in the forwards.
"All we are focusing on is the win; mathematically we still have a chance to go through but that's not in our control," Scarlets head coach Nigel Davies said.
"The key is we want to finish our season on the right note and with the right momentum."
Changes
Cardiff have made a number of changes to their side for the final game of the regular season, with wing Tom James absent after picking up a groin injury last Friday.
Leigh Halfpenny and Richard Mustoe are also out, meaning Jamie Roberts moves to the wing and Dafydd Hewitt comes in at centre.
In the forwards, Sam Warburton switches to blindside flanker with Martyn Williams starting in the No. 7 shirt.
Michael Paterson is named in the second row in place of the injured Bradley Davies, while Sam Hobbs replaces injured prop John Yapp.
The Blues, who have not won away from home on Welsh soil so far this season, need to bounce back quickly from a 28-15 defeat to the Dragons last time out.
"Obviously we were disappointed with the result at the Dragons, however, there were some positives which we've looked at and have to build on," director of rugby David Young said.
"We are still fourth, so we know what we have to do. We have to go there and win, it's a difficult place to go to, we know that, but at the end of the day if you want to get into the top four you have to go to these places and win."
"We are well capable of winning and have to be upbeat."
Scarlets: 15 Morgan Stoddart, 14 George North, 13 Regan King, 12 Scott Williams, 11 Sean Lamont, 10 Stephen Jones, 9 Tavis Knoyle, 8 Ben Morgan, 7 Johnathan Edwards, 6 Rob McCusker, 5 Dominic Day, 4 Lou Reed, 3 Rhys Thomas, 2 Matthew Rees (c), 1 Iestyn Thomas.
Replacements: 16 Emyr Phillips, 17 Phil John, 18 Peter Edwards, 19 David Lyons, 20 Richie Pugh, 21 Martin Roberts, 22 Rhys Priestland, Lee Williams.
Cardiff Blues:15 Dan Fish, 14 Jamie Roberts, 13 Casey Laulala, 12 Dafydd Hewitt, 11 Chris Czekaj, 10 Dan Parks, 9 Richie Rees, 8 Xavier Rush, 7 Martyn Williams, 6 Sam Warburton, 5 Paul Tito (c), 4 Michael Paterson, 3 Taufa'ao Filise, 2 Gareth Williams, 1 Sam Hobbs.
Replacements: 16 Rhys Williams, 17 Tom Davies, 18 Scott Andrews, 19 Deiniol Jones, 20 Ma'ama Molitika, 21 Lloyd Williams, 22 Ceri Sweeney, 23 Harry Robinson.
