Scarlets v Leinster: Teams
New signings Sean Lamont, Richie Pugh and Rhys Thomas will all make their debuts for the Scarlets against Leinster on Saturday.
Last Updated: 18/09/09 10:14am
New signings Sean Lamont, Richie Pugh and Rhys Thomas will all make their debuts for the Scarlets against Leinster on Saturday.
Coach Nigel Davies has also named young fly-half Dan Newton on the bench after an impressive pre-season - with Rhys Priestland handed the No.10 jersey in the absence of Stephen Jones.
Jones is rested after his summer exploits with the Lions, as is hooker Matthew Rees.
However captain Mark Jones heads up in a talented back line, with fellow Welsh caps Daniel Evans, Jonathan Davies and Martin Roberts also set to start.
And Davies told the club's official website: "Apart from not picking our Lions and a couple of longer term injuries, we're all fit and enjoying a clean bill of health - it's good position to be in.
"We've been able to run out as two separate teams before this first league match, something that's been hugely beneficial from a coaching perspective and for the players because they'll feel that pressure before the Leinster match itself. That's a luxury we probably didn't have last year.
"Dan Newton has done a great job in pre-season. I've been really impressed about how he has gone about his business - he's an unassuming young character and but he knows his rugby and he is very accurate and precise. However, Rhys Priestland is fit - so Rhys will start at 10 and Dan will be on the bench.
Competition
"Simon Easterby, David Lyons and Richie Pugh will be in the back row on Saturday. There's lots of competition here - we're particularly strong if you look at our second rows and our back row. It is going to drive these players on and they know they are going to have to work hard to get their jersey."
Heineken Cup champions Leinster have named a strong-looking squad despite being without their rested Lions.
New signing Shaun Berne will make his debut in centres, with former Harlequins prop named on the bench.
And captain Leo Cullen is looking forward to seeing the summer signings in action.
He said: "The new additions to the squad are settling in well. Shaun Berne is a very experienced player and is a good leader on the field, with a calm head.
"Mike (Ross) is a very strong guy and has done brilliantly over the last few seasons over in the Premiership. After getting his first Ireland cap earlier in the summer he'll have aspirations to do well with Leinster and push on into the Ireland reckoning.
"Nathan (Hines) and Redser (Eoin Reddan) haven't played yet but they're hugely experienced and I'm sure that both will make a big impact, along with Richardt Strauss, over the coming months."
Scarlets: 15 Daniel Evans, 14 Sean Lamont, 13 Rob Higgitt, 12 Jonathan Davies, 11 Mark Jones (capt), 10 Rhys Priestland, 9 Martin Roberts, 8 David Lyons, 7 Richie Pugh, 6 Simon Easterby, 5 Dominic Day, 4 Lou Reed, 3 Rhys Thomas, 2 Ken Owens, 1 Iestyn Thomas.
Replacements: 16 Phil John, 17 Emyr Phillips, 18 Deacon Manu, 19 Vernon Cooper, 20 Dafydd Jones, 21 Lee Williams, 22 Dan Newton.
Leinster: 15 Girvan Dempsey, 14 Shane Horgan, 13 Fergus McFadden, 12 Shaun Berne, 11 Isa Nacewa, 10 Jonathan Sexton, 9 Chris Keane, 1 Cian Healy, 2 John Fogarty, 3 Stan Wright, 4 Leo Cullen, 5 Malcolm O'Kelly, 6 Kevin McLaughlin, 7 Shane Jennings, 8 Stephen Keogh.
Replacements: 16 Bernard Jackman / Jason Harris-Wright, 17 Mike Ross, 18 Devin Toner, 19 Sean O'Brien, 20 Paul O'Donohoe, 21 Simon Keogh, 22 Niall Morris