Regan King bids a fond farewell
The Scarlets entertain their derby rivals from the Capital on Friday night for an exciting finale to the Magners League before teams secure their places in the semi-final top four play-off zone.
The hosts’ last home fixture of the season at Parc Y Scarlets (Friday 6th May, kick off 7.05pm) is expected to attract a five-figure crowd as the nail-biting finish to the league concludes with the Scarlets, Blues and Ospreys all still able to secure a play-off place. This will be the first time all the final sixth round matches are played at the same time.
Having kicked off strongly in the league, the Scarlets spent 12 consecutive weeks in the play-off zone. The now 6th placed Scarlets are reliant on other fixtures going their way but will want to finish on a high after a strong performance away in Glasgow with five tries, a bonus point win and qualification for Europe as one of the top placed three Welsh regions.
Head Coach Nigel Davies said: “All we are focusing on is the win; mathematically we still have a chance to go through but that’s not in our control. The key is we want to finish our season on the right note and with the right momentum. Our last result in Glasgow showed the progression we’ve made, there was a lot of pressure on us to get that win and we controlled the game well in the second half and played with composure.
“As we’ve said all season, we’ll be focusing on our own performance – all we can do is win and we want that as much if not more than the Blues. The players will be 100% focused and we want to put right our last performance here at Parc y Scarlets against Munster in front of our home crowd.
“It’s going to be a big ask against a physical Blues side full of internationals and they will be bitter after their loss to the Dragons. They’re in the driving seat in that if they win they will qualify so it’s going to be a big local derby game with both teams wanting to finish on a high.”
Wales and Scarlets outside half Stephen Jones takes the helm again in the pivotal role at 10, with Morgan Stoddart at full-back, George North and Scotland international Sean Lamont on the wings, Regan King and Scott Williams in centre partnership and Tavis Knoyle starting at scrum-half.
Supporters will bid a fond farewell at Parc y Scarlets to Kiwi magician Regan King after six years in a Scarlets shirt.
Scarlets starting XV:
Morgan Stoddart
George North
Regan King
Scott Williams
Sean Lamont
Stephen Jones
Tavis Knoyle
Lestyn Thomas
Matthew Rees (capt)
Rhys Thomas
Lou Reed
Dominic Day
Rob McCusker
Johnathan Edwards
Ben Morgan
Replacements:
Emyr Phillips
Phil John
Peter Edwards
David Lyons
Richie Pugh
Martin Roberts
Rhys Priestland
Lee Williams.
Injured players not available for selection are:
Gareth Maule (shoulder strain), Josh Turnbull (toe), Aaron Shingler (shoulder) and Jon Davies (dead leg)