Still all to play for insists Cassiem

LEIGH Halfpenny will play his first game since November against the Cheetahs with his team-mate Uzair Cassiem insisting Scarlets can still seal the title.

Halfpenny, 30, was tackled late by Samu Kerevi during Wales’ win over Australia last year and has been out of action for 106 days with ongoing concussion problems.

He will finally make his comeback after being released from the Wales camp with Scarlets desperate to bounce back from last week’s disappointing defeat against Benetton.

The men from Llanelli are five points off the playoff places in Conference B with six games left to play, but former Cheetahs No.8 Cassiem isn’t panicking.

“There’s everything to play for,” he said. “Five teams can compete for second and third spot.

“Things are in our favour because all the games we have left are in Wales and we’ve got a few at home too. We need to turn Parc y Scarlets back into a fortress and get some wins under our belt.

“We’ve been plagued with injuries but this is the weekend we can turn it around and get a good win.”

Scarlets have also been boosted by the availability of Halfpenny’s fellow Wales squad members Wyn Jones, Ryan Elias, Rhys Patchell and Jake Ball who will captain the side.

Cassiem is determined to put an injury-hit first season in Welsh rugby behind him against his ex employers.

“This season has been more mentally taxing than any other because I’ve never been through a campaign with this many injuries,” he added. “I’m just trying to get some form and momentum – there’s a load more to come from me.”