Match Preview: Scarlets vs. Ulster Rugby

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[tag=image]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/e ... go.svg.png[/tag][tag=content]So pre-season is over and now we get down to the real action!

Much like last year we face a difficult trip to Wales to begin our Pro12 campaign, only this time we swap Rodney Parade for the more modern Parc y Scarlets, and the Newport-Gwent Dragons for the Scarlets. No less of a tricky start considering that the Scarlets will be one of the sides pushing to break into the top four this season, and as per usual we are deprived of most of our international stars by the IRFU.

This will be the first of four encounters against our Welsh rivals due to the fact that they are in our Champions’ Cup pool too, and it will be a very interesting game in order to see what level we are both currently operating at. Obviously with French giants Toulon in our pool, and also the ever familiar PRL representatives the Leicester Tigers, for either of us to reach the latter stages of Europe’s new premier competition we’ll have to be at the top of our games.

But enough about that, the Pro12 is our main focus currently, and it’s time for a clean slate and another chance to win our domestic league.

Let’s not try and put a bit of glamour on what has been a very disappointing run in the Pro12 for us in previous years, ranging from missing out on the play-offs in 2012 to having to move the final to Dublin a year later and subsequently losing to Leinster, who have tended to be our bogey team when it comes to knockout rugby.

This season we have undergone a lot of changes both on the field and off it, although the aim is no different – win the Pro12. And why should it be any less? As one of the top sides in Europe we must strive for top honours at all levels, and that means getting off to the perfect start tomorrow in Llanelli by taking four points off the Scarlets.

Of course, we all know that that is no easy task, especially when you look at how the Scarlets have strengthened over the summer, adding much needed depth to a strong squad with the return of Regan King from Clermont Auvergne and the signings of Harry Robinson (Cardiff Blues) and Chris Hala’ufia (London Irish). That said, the loss of Jonathan Davies to Clermont is a big blow for the region considering what an influence he exerted over the Scarlets’ back line.

New coach Wayne Pivac has stated that he is determined to make the Parc a fortress for the upcoming season and it’s up to us to ensure that that dream lasts all of a week. The Scarlets are by no means unbeatable at home, as Leinster proved last season by winning 42-19 on the opening day, however this will be one of the toughest away trips we will face this season, especially whenever our record in west Wales is not the greatest.

However, with Chris Henry back in the squad, alleviating our openside flanker issues (although, personally, I thought Sean Reidy was doing fine) and a good pre-season behind us we should head to Wales in confidence that we can register a very important away win on the first day of the season, and also gain a significant mental advantage for our future clashes against the Scarlets in Europe.

The Scarlets make two changes to their side that beat Gloucester in last week’s pre-season friendly, both of whom are in the backs. On the wing Harry Robinson makes his competitive debut in place of Kristian Phillips, while at scrum-half there is a recall for Gareth Davies ahead of his namesake Aled Davies. Michael Tagicakibau and Rory Pitman also make their competitive debuts for the region.

Les Kiss has also elected to make two changes to his side that won in Leinster, although those changes are both in the forwards as Callum Black and Chris Henry replace Andrew Warwick and Sean Reidy respectively. There are competitive debuts for Louis Ludik, Wiehahn Herbst and Franco van der Merwe, while Irish internationals Luke Marshall and Andrew Trimble are named among the replacements.

The half-hearted pre-season rugby is over, no more room for error, no more excuses and no more turning down kickable penalties to go for the corner in the first minute! Time for us to send a real message to the rest of the Pro12 in the first weekend and give Les Kiss his first competitive win as Ulster coach as we look to come away from the Parc y Scarlets with a very important first day win.

And yes Clive, this one is on TV!

Scarlets vs. Ulster Rugby
Saturday 6th September, 14:40
Parc y Scarlets
Guinness PRO12 – Round 1

Live on Sky Sports

SCARLETS
15. Liam Williams, 14. Harry Robinson, 13. Regan King, 12. Scott Williams, 11. Michael Tagicakibau, 10. Rhys Priestland, 9. Gareth Davies; 1. Phil John, 2. Ken Owens (capt.), 3. Rhodri Jones, 4. Jake Ball, 5. Johan Snyman, 6. Rob McCusker, 7. John Barclay, 8. Rory Pitman.

16. Emyr Phillips, 17. Rob Evans, 18. Peter Edwards, 19. Richard Kelly, 20. Aaron Shingler, 21. Rhodri Williams, 22. Steven Shingler, 23. Gareth Owen.

ULSTER RUGBY
15. Louis Ludik, 14. Michael Allen, 13. Jared Payne, 12. Stuart Olding, 11. Craig Gilroy, 10. Ian Humphreys, 9. Paul Marshall; 1. Callum Black, 2. Rob Herring, 3. Wiehahn Herbst, 4. Dan Tuohy, 5. Franco van der Merwe, 6. Robbie Diack, 7. Chris Henry, 8. Roger Wilson (capt.).

16. John Andrew, 17. Andrew Warwick, 18. Declan Fitzpatrick, 19. Lewis Stevenson, 20. Nick Williams, 21. Michael Heaney, 22. Luke Marshall, 23. Andrew Trimble.

Referee: Peter Fitzgibbon (IRFU, 56th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Ian Davies, Jon Mason (both WRU)
Citing Commissioner: Aurwel Morgan (WRU)
TMO: Tim Hayes (WRU)[/tag]