Forget URC – Scarlets face a Test match in Dublin
Scarlets head coach Nigel Davies says his side are preparing for a Test match level challenge as they travel to face Leinster in Dublin.
Leinster return home after a heavy defeat to Glasgow last weekend and make 12 changes but name a starting squad of 13 internationals, underlining the scale of the task ahead of the Welsh region.
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The Scarlets go into the match without flyhalf Sam Costelow after rolling his ankle in training and captain Josh Macleod who is out with a hamstring injury.
They also face a hooker shortage following head injury assessments of Marnus van der Merwe and Ryan Elias.
It means their team against Leinster shows five changes from the one that started in the 36-17 win over Zebre last time out.
Joe Roberts returns to outside center while Joe Hawkins is given the number 10 jersey – with Carwyn Leggatt-Jones also unavailable due to injury.
The other change among the backs sees Dane Blacker starting at scrum-half in place of Archie Hughes who drops to the bench.
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In the pack, hooker Harry Thomas is given a second start to the United Rugby Championship (URC) season while Dan Davis comes in on the open flank in place of skipper Macleod.
For the Scarlets, the week was designed less like a championship match and more like an international mission.
“We’re basically playing an international rugby match in an international stadium against an international rugby team,” Davies said.
“I think it’s very difficult to watch last week, I’m sure we’ll face a slightly different Leinster team.
“I think they will have all the international matches and prepare for the following week with a European match. They will look to finish the URC on a positive note and prepare for that European match.”
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Although Welsh regions have beaten Leinster in recent seasons – including the Scarlets at Llanelli last year – Davies says the scale of the task remains unchanged.
“As far as the fear factor goes, no…and we need the fear factor,” he added.
“We have to go in with a fear factor within the team to know what they’re up against.”
Scarlets center Roberts says the players are under no illusions about the level required.
“The team is made up of a lot of internationals… to compete you have to be up there,” he said.
“Because of the quality they have.”
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The Scarlets have shown in recent meetings that they can challenge Leinster, including a victory last season and a competitive performance in Dublin in the last 16.
“It’s really performance driven on our part…and then seeing what happens,” Roberts added.
With the play-offs now unlikely, Davies says the focus is on performance in the final rounds of the season.
“Really, it’s all about performance and taking each game as it comes,” he said.
“And also… the legacy they carry comes from previous generations… and the hope they give to their supporters and their families.
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“Rugby is a fantastic sport… you can’t always do that. So it’s important to win matches.”
How they line up
Leinster: Jimmy O’Brien; Tommy O’Brien, Ringrose, Osborne, Kenny; Byrne, Gibson-Park; Porter, Sheehan, Furlong, Joe McCarthy, Deeny, Deegan, van der Flier, Doris (captain).
Substitutes: Gus McCarthy, Cahir, Slimani, O’Tighearnaigh, Soroka, Gunne, Prendergast, Henshaw.
Scarlets: Murray; Rogers, J. Roberts, Williams, Mee; Hawkins, Blacker; Mathias, Harry Thomas, Holz, Lousi, Douglas, Taylor, Davis, Anderson (captain).
Substitutes: G Roberts, S O’Connor, Henry Thomas, Ball, T Davies, A Hughes, I Jones, Page.
Referee: Aimee Barrett-Theron (SARU)
Assistants: Peter Martin (Ireland), Chris Lough (IRFU)
TMO: Quinton Immelman (SARU)
