Scarlets can do their Welsh regional rivals Cardiff Rugby a huge favour tonight (Saturday, 25 April – 7.45pm) by continuing their dominance over the Bulls at Parc y Scarlets.
However bitter they were at seeing Cardiff snatch victory in Llanelli last weekend to bolster their hopes of reaching the end of season play-offs in the BKT United Rugby Championship they could considerably boost their hopes of finishing in the top eight by beating one of their rivals for a quarter final slot.
The Bulls are in eighth place coming into Round 16, some five points behind Cardiff in fourth. The Scarlets, meanwhile, are one off the bottom and need to win to overtake the Dragons following their win in Italy against Zebre.
“This is the last game of a four-week tour, so the challenge is to make sure we focus on the game before we see our families. It’s a big challenge – we’ve never beaten the Scarlets in Wales,” said Bulls head coach Johan Ackerman.
“We won’t be focusing on history, we’ll be focusing on this game. The Scarlets are a top team, and their log position isn’t a true reflection of their ability.
“They are one of the teams that win most bonus points for losing by less than seven, which shows they stay in the fight for the full 80 minutes. They also have one of the highest conversion rates from the 22m area.”
Scarlets interim director of rugby Nigel Davies is giving youth its chance in his back line with Macs Page on one wing and academy wing Callum Woolley getting a debut on the other. The 6’ 4” tall Woolley had experience playing for the GB Sevens team in January at the Singapore and Perth legs of the World Series.
The 20-year-old from Cardigan fills in for the injured Ellis Mee and will have Wales duo Joe Roberts and Eddie James inside him at centre.
Henry Thomas comes in at tight-head prop for Archer Holz, who is recovering from a head knock, as the only change up front to the side that played Cardiff a week ago. Back row man Dan Davis will make his 100th Scarlets’ appearance if he comes off the bench.
“Last weekend’s result against Cardiff hurt, but the response this week has been exactly what you want to see. There’s been honesty, energy and a real determination to move forward together,” said Davies.
“We are very clear as a group that our discipline hasn’t been where it needs to be and that sits with me. It’s my responsibility to ensure we get that right because it’s impacting our performance and results.
“It’s not about individuals — it’s about our system, our decision-making and how we operate under pressure. The players care deeply about it and we will respond together.
“What matters now is how we act. We’ve prepared with real intent this week and I expect us to be smart, controlled and connected in how we play.
“The Bulls bring a big, physical challenge, but these are the games you want to be involved in. We’ve shown before that we can compete with them and we’ve got the ability within this group to do that again.
“There’s a nice balance to the side with some exciting young players getting their chance and experience against a challenging Bulls side, blended with enough experience and leadership to deliver the performance we’re after.
“For us, these games are about standards. What we produce now sets the tone for everything that comes next.”
TEAMS
Scarlets: Blair Murray; Callum Woolley, Joe Roberts, Eddie James, Macs Page; Joe Hawkins, Dane Blacker; Kemsley Mathias, Ryan Elias, Henry Thomas, Sam Lousi, Max Douglas, Taine Plumtree, 7 Jarrod Taylor, Fletcher Anderson (captain)
Reps: Marnus van der Merwe, Josh Morse, Harri O’Connor, Jac Price, Dan Davis, Archie Hughes, Carwyn Leggatt-Jones, Ioan JonesBulls: David Kriel; Cheswill Jooste, Stedman Gans, Harold Vorster, Kurt-Lee Arendse; Handre Pollard, Embrose Papier; Gerhard Steenkamp, Johan Grobbelaar, Wilco Louw; Ruan Vermaak, Ruan Nortje; Marcell Coetzee (captain), Elrigh Louw, Cameron Hanekom
Reps: Marco van Staden, Jan Hendrik Wessels, Francois Kloppers, Cobus Wiese, Mpilo Gumede, Paul de Wet, Willie le Roux, Jeandre RudolphReferee: Gianluca Gnecchi (Italy)