Davies Taking No Chances

With the Heineken Cup just a week away from Saturday’s Magners League clash with Munster, Scarlets coach Phil Davies is taking no chances and travels to Cork without his key players

So there is no Stephen Jones, Regan King, Dwayne Peel, Alix Popham or Simon Easterby as Davies retains just four players who played in the last game against Borders.  

In fact just three players, full-back Barry Davies, winger Mark Jones and midfielder Gavin Evans are the only ones who started against Munster in the Stradey Park quarter-final who will see action from the off on Saturday.

Nevertheless, Davies insists it is squad rotation that sees him leave 11 frontline players back in Wales, “We respect Munster as a team as they have been one of the most consistent sides over the past few years in the league and Europe. We have been using a squad system all season and this game sees a continuation of that.”

Flanker James Bater will captain the side from the side of the scrum and he is just one of several players out to impress Davies as the Heineken Cup semi-final fast approaches. “This is an opportunity for a lot of players to show Phil what they can do.

“It would be a dream come true to be in the side to play in the Heineken Cup semifinals so there is plenty to play for.

“It is going to be tough as Munster will no doubt be seeking revenge after we defeated them at Stradey Park a couple of weeks ago. Musgrave Park has been a bit of a fortress but we will go there in a confident frame of mind.”

His assertion that Musgrave Park is a bit of a fortress may be a little wide of the mark – Munster were beaten 19-12 there last time by Cardiff Blues – nor would victory compensate in any way for defeat a fortnight ago but they will be anxious to atone for a disappointing display last time out against Ospreys.

Scarlets (v Munster)
15 Barry Davies
14 Darren Daniel
13 Matthew Watkins
12 Gavin Evans
11 Mark Jones
10 Ceiron Thomas
9 Liam Davies;
1 Phil John
2 Ken Owens
3 Craig Dunlea
4 Inoke Afeaki
5 Adam Jones
6 Dafydd Jones
7 James Bater (capt)
8 Nathan Thomas

Subs: John Davies, Daniel George, Vernon Cooper, Gavin Thomas, Clive Stuart-Smith, Paul Mackey, Garan Evans