Scarlets jet out to South Africa with 19 players on the missing list
SCARLETS have 19 players injured or unavailable from their squad which will take on Southern Kings in Port Elizabeth on Friday evening.
But head coach Wayne Pivac has named a 26-man squad which travelled out for the South African adventure yesterday.
Twelve players have linked up with Wales in readiness for the Autumn Series with a further seven unavailable.
Lewis Rawlins, James Davies, Jonathan Evans, Aaron Shingler, Tom Prydie and Angus O’Brien are unavailable through injury, whilst Kieron Fonotia is suspended until Sunday.
Scarlets squad Forwards:
Phil Price, Dylan Evans, Werner Kruger, Simon Gardiner, Taylor Davies, Marc Jones, Daf Hughes, David Bulbring, Tom Price, Josh Helps, Steve Cummins, Blade Thomson, Josh Macleod, Will Boyde, Uzair Cassiem, Ed Kennedy
Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, Kieran Hardy, Declan Smith, Dan Jones, Steff Hughes, Paul Asquith, Ioan Nicholas, Morgan Williams, Johnny McNicholl, Clayton Blommetjies.
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■ Meanwhile, Southern Kings have announced a new captain who will lead the team for the first time at the Madibaz Stadium.
Influential lock JC Astle has taken over the leadership reins from hooker Michael Willemse, who has been become one of the Isuzu Southern Kings’ most recent injury casualties.
“We have unfortunately lost Michael Willemse to injury for the foreseeable future, and that is a big loss for us. Mikey has been a great leader for the side and we are most grateful for the leadership he has provided this season and the previous season,” said Southern King, Deon Davids.
“JC Astle will captain the team going forward. We have full confidence in JC’s leadership and the qualities he brings in the role.
“He has been one of the leaders in the team and will continue to be surrounded by a number of other leaders in the team.
“He has the full backing of the squad, and we are confident he will lead the team well, starting against Scarlets.”