The rival regions clash at the BT Sport Arms Park on Friday night in round two of the Anglo-Welsh competition. Blues will be buoyed by their spirited victory in Newcastle, where they clawed back a 14-point deficit to down the Falcons 22-21.
But the Scarlets are desperate to open their account after they suffered contrasting fortunes against English opponents. Last year’s beaten finalists Northampton Saints had too much for the West Walians, who slipped to a 24-7 defeat.
Aled Summerhill will make his debut for the Cardiff side after impressing in the pre-season World Club 10s tournament. Taufa’au Filise will join T.Rhys Thomas as the Blues’ most-capped player on 182 games as he starts at tight-head prop – with Owen Jenkins, Miles Normandale and Chris Dicomidis coming into the side.
Scarlets coach Ioan Cunningham has made 10 changes to the side that were outmuscled by Northampton. Josh Adams and Ben Lueng make their debuts on the Arms Park turf with Rob McCusker and Jordan Williams lending their experience.
Hodges said: “Players have worked so hard as part of the Academy pathway for so many years that the desire to get an opportunity at first team level is huge.
“We will have 17 of our match day 23 on Friday night having come through the Academy system; that is a lot of schools and clubs represented and a lot of proud people and families on the night.
“We also know that not all 17 will probably become fully fledged Blues players. It is seeing who will really cope with it and who thrives, but also who maybe struggles a little.”
Cunningham said: “I expect Friday’s game to be more open, which is what we want,” said the region’s LV= Cup coach Ioan Cunningham.
“We want to play with a bit of width, with high ball-in-play and we want to score some tries. We want to challenge the Blues with ball in hand.
“We are going to change things around, we are going to see players who we need to see, who have been waiting for their opportunity.”
