Match Preview: Scarlets v Ospreys

Dwayne Peel says the Boxing Day west Wales derby is the perfect game for his Scarlets as they look to turn around their season.

Peel’s team have lost seven of their nine games in all competitions, culminating in last weekend’s shock 23-7 defeat at home to Georgian outfit Black Lion in the Challenge Cup.

He says he understands the fans’ anger and will be looking for a reaction from his players in the festive showdown with arch local rivals Ospreys.

"I think this now is the perfect game, in terms of sharpening the focus,” said the head coach.

"It is one of our biggest games of the season, a Boxing Day derby.

“It will be a good occasion with more than 9,000 tickets sold already.

"Having the fans behind us and a great atmosphere is what we all enjoy. I know there will be 10,000, if not more, here on Boxing Day and it will be an incredible atmosphere."

Peel continued: “We recognise the frustrations of the fans.  We feel the disappointment as well.

"I understand their (fans) anger and it's important to note we as a squad, us staff and collectively as a club understand it. Everyone is working hard to turn things around and I'm sure we will.

"I've supported this club since I was three or four years old. We've been through some bad times before and I know how amazing our supporters are and they're 100% behind us.

"Obviously, they're disappointed at the moment and I understand their frustration, but for me as head coach I'm incredibly proud of what they give us.

"I have been in teams before where we have lost poorly and it's how you bounce back. We will work hard to make sure we put a performance together."

The Scarlets are set to be boosted by the return of Tongan lock Sam Lousi from injury for his first game of the season, while prop Wyn Jones and centre Joe Roberts could also be back in the mix.

As for the Ospreys, they have experienced mixed fortunes in the Challenge Cup over the last couple of weeks, beating Benetton at home, but then losing heavily out in Montpellier.

Scarlets v Ospreys

Parc Y Scarlets, Llanelli – KO 17.15 IRE & UK / 18.15 ITA / 19.15 SA

Referee: Craig Evans (WRU, 51st league game)

AR 1: Adam Jones (WRU) AR 2: Gwyn Morris (WRU)

TMO: Jon Mason (WRU)

Live on: S4C, Viaplay, Premier Sports, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv

Scarlets: Ioan Lloyd, Tom Rogers, Joe Roberts, Johnny Williams, Ryan Conbeer, Sam Costelow, Gareth Davies, Kemsley Mathias, Ryan Elias, Sam Wainwright, Alex Craig, Jac Price, Sam Lousi, Teddy Leatherbarrow, Josh Macleod (CAPT)

Replacements: Shaun Evans, Wyn Jones, Joe Jones, Morgan Jones, Ben Williams, Kieran Hardy, Jonathan Davies, Ioan Nicholas

Ospreys: Jack Walsh, Mat Protheroe, George North, Owen Watkin, Keelan Giles, Owen Williams, Reuben Morgan-Williams, Gareth Thomas, Dewi Lake, Tom Botha, James Fender, Adam Beard (CAPT), Rhys Davies, Harri Deaves, Morgan Morris

Replacements: Sam Parry, Garyn Phillips, Ben Warren, Morgan Morse, Tristan Davies, Luke Davies, Dan Edwards, Luke Morgan