Scarlets v Glasgow: Teams
Glasgow have confirmed the capture of Aly Muldownie from Moseley ahead of Friday's clash with the Scarlets.
Last Updated: 06/05/10 2:38pm
Glasgow have confirmed the capture of Aly Muldownie from Championship side Moseley ahead of Friday night's Magners League clash with Scarlets.
The move north of the border will marks the lock's first full-time professional contract.
"It's always been my ambition to play at as high a level as possible and I believe that Glasgow was a great option due to the appeal of playing in the Magners League and Heineken Cup," he said.
"I now need to knuckle down and earn a place in what is a very competitive squad.
Advantage
"Despite offers from the Guinness Premiership, I was attracted to playing in the Magners League where, instead of fighting against relegation, you're playing to win."
Meanwhile, Warriors have made five changes, one positional, to the side that defeated Leinster at Firhill almost two weeks ago for their game in Wales.
Richie Gray replaces Tim Barker while flanker John Barclay rests a shoulder injury, making way for Calum Forrester. Forrester will slot in on the blindside moving Kelly Brown to seven.
In the backs, both wings are changed as Rob Dewey is given the nod ahead of Hefin O'Hare and DTH van der Merwe is preferred to Colin Shaw.
Glasgow head into Friday's match knowing they have sealed a place in the inaugural Magners League play-offs, and are now hoping to achieve home advantage with a good result at the Parc Y Scarlets.
Head coach Sean Lineen said: "The Scarlets can really hurt you if you don't go down there with the right attitude and they will be playing for pride. They certainly have a lot of it.
"They have some key players who pose significant attacking threats so I'll be looking for a massive defensive effort and we'll see what happens from there."
Meanwhile, the Scarlets are eager to round off their season on a positive note at home to the title hopeful Warriors.
Intensity
Team news sees another landmark on the horizon for fly-half Stephen Jones, who returns to fitness from an ankle injury. He only has to score seven points to become the highest ever Scarlets point scorer in the club and region's history - currently held by Andy Hill on 2596 points.
Martin Roberts is at scrum-half, Lee Williams gets a start on the wing ahead of Andy Fenby and experienced Scarlets campaigner Vernon Cooper (352 appearances for the Scarlets) starts in the second-row with lock Damian Welch out with a broken arm.
"This is an important fixture for us to finish off the season on a high point and after the win over Connacht the boys are eager to continue playing with that level of commitment, energy and intensity to show what that they can do and that they can perform against teams at the top of the Magners League table as well," said head coach Nigel Davies.
"Glasgow will come down with a lot of confidence and plenty to play for so we are expecting a big game with some interesting contests - particularly in the back-row where they have very good players with experience.
"It will be a test for us, but players like Josh Turnbull and Rob McCusker have been going really well at the moment, they are eager and committed and they've matured a lot this season physically and mentally and can push the bar as far as they want to."
Scarlets: 15 Daniel Evans, 14 Sean Lamont, 13 Regan King, 12 Jonathan Davies 11 Lee Williams, 10 Stephen Jones, 9 Martin Roberts, 8 David Lyons (capt), 7 Josh Turnbull, 6 Rob McCusker, 5 Dominic Day, 4 Vernon Cooper, 3 Rhys Thomas, 2 Matthew Rees, 1 Iestyn Thomas.
Replacements: 16 Phil John, 17 Ken Owens, 18 Lou Reed 19 Johnathan Edwards, 20 Tavis Knoyle, 21 Rhys Priestland, 22 Andy Fenby.
Glasgow: 15 Bernardo Stortoni, 14 DTH van der Merwe, 13 Max Evans, 12 Graeme Morrison, 11 Rob Dewey, 10 Dan Parks, 9 Chris Cusiter, 8 Johnnie Beattie, 7 Kelly Brown, 6 Calum Forrester, 5 Alastair Kellock (capt), 4 Richie Gray, 3 Moray Low, 2 Fergus Thomson, 1 Kevin Tkachuk.
Replacements: 16 Dougie Hall, 17 Ed Kalman, 18 Dan Turner, 19 James Eddie, 20 Mark McMillan, 21 Duncan Weir, 22 Hefin O'Hare.