Blair Murray returns for West Wales derby
Wales international Blair Murray returns to the Scarlets side for the big West Wales derby against the Ospreys on Saturday (15:00; S4C, Premier Sports).
Murray sat out last weekend's clash with the DHL Stormers because of a calf issue, but is back as the lone change to the starting XV for the crucial BKT United Rugby Championship round 14 match-up.
Murray replaces Ioan Nicholas at full-back, with young talents Ellis Mee and Macs Page continuing on the wings.
Joe Roberts and Eddie James make up the midfield partnership and Ioan Lloyd combines with Gareth Davies at half-back.
It’s a case of same again up front.
The front row is made up of Alec Hepburn, Marnus van der Merwe and Henry Thomas. Alex Craig links up with Sam Lousi in the second row and the back row of Vaea Fifita, Taine Plumtree and skipper Josh Macleod is also unchanged.
Head coach Dwayne Peel has gone for a six-two split on the bench.
Tight-head prop Sam Wainwright has recovered from the illness that forced him to withdraw before kick-off last weekend, while Jac Price is also included as forwards cover. Efan Jones and Ioan Nicholas cover the backline. Kemsley Mathias is ruled out because of the calf injury he suffered in the warm-up last Saturday.
With a crowd nearing 11,000 expected at the Parc and the ‘Race for the Eight’ hotting up in the URC, it promises to be another gripping West Wales derby.
Head coach Dwayne Peel said: “It’s going to be a great occasion. You’ve got two sides that want to go out and play and two sides competing hard for the top eight. For West Wales rugby, that’s fantastic.
“It’s a big derby, a lot of tickets have been sold, the crowd looks big. The interest for the game is huge, which is great, and it’s exciting to be part of it.
“Everyone was frustrated after the Stormers match, but there is no better fixture for us this week. I am sure it will be a great crowd and a good occasion.”
Scarlets team to play Ospreys at Parc y Scarlets on Saturday, March 29 (3pm; S4C & Premier Sports)
15 Blair Murray; 14 Macs Page 13 Joe Roberts, 12 Eddie James, 11 Ellis Mee; 10 Ioan Lloyd, 9 Gareth Davies; 1 Alec Hepburn, 2 Marnus van der Merwe, 3 Henry Thomas, 4 Alex Craig, 5 Sam Lousi, 6 Vaea Fifita, 7 Josh Macleod (capt), 8 Taine Plumtree.
Reps: 16 Ryan Elias, 17 Sam O’Connor, 18 Sam Wainwright, 19 Jac Price, 20 Jarrod Taylor, 21 Efan Jones, 22 Ioan Nicholas, 23 Dan Davis
Unavailable because of injury/illness
Kemsley Mathias, Johnny Williams, Tom Rogers, Max Douglas, Sam Costelow, Ben Williams, Archer Holz, Harri O’Connor, Josh Morse, Isaac Young.
