will be another record crowd in the history of Parc y Scarlets of 14,800 (capacity at the stadium) – this time for a league fixture as the RaboDirect PRO12 festive battle kicks off at 2.05pm on Boxing Day.
The Scarlets will field a strong side to take on the might of the Ospreys after drawing 9-9 in a tightly fought contest at their trip to the Liberty in November. The Scarlets have won their last three games at home at Parc y Scarlets in the RaboDirect PRO 12 and are unbeaten in their last four clashes with fellow Welsh regions.
The Scarlets have not lost at home in a Welsh derby since the Ospreys visited in October 2010 however have not beaten the Ospreys since a 17-12 victory at Stradey Park in the corresponding festive fixture in 2007. The Ospreys are winless in their last four fixtures against fellow Welsh regions.
Back from injury, is Scarlets and Wales winger George North who starts on Monday afternoon after recovering from a dead leg suffered in the Australia international in early December. Second row Damian Welch is not available for selection after suffering a fractured thumb against Munster last weekend.
Rhys Priestland comes back to take the 10 shirt, with Gareth Davies retained at scrum-half to start after his impressive form creating quick ball this season.
Head of Rugby Nigel Davies said it was difficult to be dispassionate and not that emotional about these historic derby encounters but said the Scarlets were looking forward to a very big rugby occasion.
“It’s a fantastic game of rugby in store and with quality across the field from both sides, there will be some great contests to watch and it should be a great occasion for our supporters.
“To have such a great history and sense of rivalry just adds to the excitement around the game. We have a sell-out stadium, which will be a real boost to the players – it’s good to see so much interest in this fixture and shows what regional rugby is capable of bringing in terms of a spectacle for supporters.
“But you can’t afford to be too emotional, there’s a lot of passion underneath; but we have been firmly focused and single-minded on what we need to do to achieve victory this week. It was very close last time out, and we’ll have to bring a level of intensity and accuracy that will be all-important and – desire. But there won’t be any shortage of that from either team.”
The Ospreys travel to Parc y Scarlets on Boxing Day trying to close the gap on league leaders Leinster who sit a point above them in the table but will be without the trio Ian Evans, Richard Fussell and Ian Gough due to injury and suspension.
Evans and Fussell both picked up ankle injuries in last weekend’s game against Saracens whilst Gough was given a three-week suspension earlier this week for a dangerous tackle in the same fixture.
“Ian left the field with an ankle injury at the weekend that has ruled him out of the Scarlets fixture. We aren’t in a position to confirm his availability for the Cardiff Blues game on New Year’s Day yet, but aren’t ruling him in or out at this stage,” said Ospreys head physio Chris Towers.
“Richard also sustained an ankle injury and is in a similar position. We’ll continue to monitor both of them over the next week, with a view to whether or not they will be available for the Blues match.”
Scarlets team against Ospreys 26th December 2011, Parc y Scarlets kick off 2.05pm: 15 Liam Williams, 14 George North, 13 Scott Williams, 12 Jon Davies, 11 Sean Lamont, 10 Rhys Priestland, 9 Gareth Davies, 1 Rhodri Jones, 2 Matthew Rees (capt), 3 Rhys Thomas, 4 Lou Reed, 5 Dominic Day, 6 Aaron Shingler, 7 Rob McCusker, 8 Ben Morgan.
Replacements: 16 Ken Owens, 17 Phil John, 18 Deacon Manu, 19 Sione Timani, 20 Johnathan Edwards, 21 Rhodri Williams, 22 Stephen Jones, 23 Iongi Viliame.
Ospreys: Barry Davies, Tommy Bowe, Andrew Bishop, Ashley Beck, Shane Williams, Dan Biggar, Kahn Fotuali’I, Paul James, Richard Hibbard, Adam Jones, James King, Jonathan Thomas, Ryan Jones, Justin Tipuric (Capt), Joe Bearman.
Replacements: Mefin Davies, Ryan Bevington, Aaron Jarvis, Tom Smith, George Stowers, Rhys Webb, Matthew Morgan, Hanno Dirksen.
