MAGNERS LEAGUE: Scarlets v Munster:MUNSTER'S DILIGENCE in accumulating points in large swathes throughout the Magners League campaign has permitted coach Tony McGahan to scrutinise the credentials of several young squad members this evening.
His side is easing to a home semi-final irrespective of what happens in the Principality.
Only three players survive from the Amlin Challenge Cup quarter-final victory over Brive last weekend, centre Lifeimi Mafi, secondrow Mick O’Driscoll and Denis Leamy, who switches from blindside flanker to number eight and will captain the side.
This game represents a great opportunity for wings Simon Zebo and Danny Barnes, outhalf Declan Cusack and tighthead prop Stephen Archer to deliver on their potential in a testing, competitive environment.
McGahan said: “After three challenging weeks previous to this away trip to Scarlets, a rotation of the playing group allows us to rest many of the starters coming into a busy and competitive period. It also allows for competition within the squad for opportunities across the 23 and there is no better place or opposition for players to test themselves than Scarlets in their home ground.”
Llanelli’s tenuous chances of making the play-offs are reliant on victory this evening and that is reflected in the strong team selected by coach Nigel Davies. He may be without Wales international centre Jon Davies (leg) and promising number eight Ben Morgan (shoulder) but there is no mistaking the quality that backbones the home team.
Hooker and captain Matthew Rees underlined the arithmetic required to prolong the Scarlets’ season. “We have to win our next three games.
“They (Munster) are the best team in the league and they’re not top for nothing. No matter what team they field, they’ll play with confidence and pace. The most important thing is getting your own house in order; set-piece is the key against them.
“On our day we can compete with any pack of forwards, the great thing is that our pack is willing to work, carry ball, hit rucks and share the workload and that’s what you need when you come up against a top team like Munster.”
Rees’ generic analysis of his opponents was delivered before he saw the composition of the Munster team: redolent of a young pup rather than the old dog. There’s little pressure on the visitors other than a commitment to the jersey in performance terms. Scarlets need is greater; they’re at home and are much closer to a full strength line-up than Munster.
Tonight’s referee Alan Lewis has confirmed he will retire at the end of the season. One of the sport’s foremost referees he took charge of 45 Test matches, 83 matches in Europe, 71 of which were in the Heineken Cup, including the 2007 final.
SCARLETS:M Stoddart; G North, R King, G Maule, S Lamont; R Priestland, T Knoyle; I Thomas, M Rees (capt), R Thomas; L Reed, J Turnbull; R McCusker, J Edwards, D Lyons. Replacements: E Phillips, R Jones, S Gardiner, A Shingler, D Welch, G Davies, S Jones, S Williams.
MUNSTER:P Warwick; S Zebo, J Murphy, L Mafi, D Barnes; D Cusack, P Stringer; M Horan, M Sherry, S Archer; D Ryan, M O'Driscoll; T O'Donnell, N Ronan, D Leamy (capt). Replacements: D Fogarty, D Hurley, J Hayes, A Quinlan, P Butler, D Williams, S Tuitupou, S Deasy.
Referee:Alan Lewis (Ireland)
Verdict:Scarlets to win.
