Parkes reaches his century, while Halfpenny’s back for final boost
WALES centre Hadleigh Parkes will make his 100th regional appearance tonight as the Scarlets take on Leinster in the Guinness PRO14 final at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium (6pm).
British & Irish Lions fullback Leigh Halfpenny returns from a hamstring injury that saw him miss last weekend’s semi final victory over Glasgow Warriors. Johnny Mcnicholl, who made a return from injury in time for last weekend’s clash, moves to the wing with Tom Prydie on the replacements’ bench.
With John Barclay unavailable following surgery to a ruptured Achilles tendon, coach Wayne Pivac has made changes to the pack. Tadhg Beirne moves to No.8, partnering James Davies and Aaron Shingler in the back row. Lewis Rawlins comes into the second row to partner Steve Cummins.
Pivac said; “They’re a very good side. We only have to look back to our Champions Cup semi-final where we were completely outplayed.
“They’ve gone on to win the big prize and be crowned Euro champions, and deservedly so.
“To back that up against a good Munster team, not an easy task a week later after celebrations and euphoria of winning it, was to me a testament to how strong that squad is, they’ll be better this weekend with some guys freshened up.
“We’re expecting a massive game.
“It’s a massive challenge for us but I think it’s a great game, last year’s PRO12 champions up against this year’s European champions.
“If you want to win it you want to do so against the best.”
Leinster will be captained by Isa Nacewa, who will lead the side on what will be his 185th and final appearance in blue.
A career that started in September 2008 away to Cardiff Blues in a 16-16 draw will end in Dublin as he looks to add to his 47 tries and 706 points, including the crucial six points off the tee late in Bilbao to bring a fourth Heineken Cup/ Champions Cup trophy to Leinster.
“Isa is at a different level to anyone who I’ve come across before,” Leo Cullen, the Leinster head coach, said. “It’s hard to speak highly enough about the guy.”
As for Nacewa, he added: “There’s no sadness. Not yet. There’s a lot of time to think about things once you retire.
“Now is not the time for me.
“It will be a normal week for me. I like routine. I’m a boring player.”
Big guns Rob Kearney and Johnny Sexton return to action, while Rhys Ruddock is selected at blindside with Dan Leavy back from injury on the openside.
SCARLETS:
L. Halfpenny; J. McNicholl, S. Williams, H. Parkes, S. Evans; R. Patchell, G. Davies; R. Evans, K. Owens (capt), S. Lee, L. Rawlins, S. Cummins, A. Shingler, T. Beirne, James Davies. Reps: R. Elias, W. Jones, W. Kruger, D. Bulbring, W. Boyde, J. Evans, D. Jones, T. Prydie.
R. Kearney; J. Larmour, G. Ringrose, I. Nacewa (capt), J. Lowe; J. Sexton, L. McGrath; C. Healy, S. Cronin, T. Furlong; D. Toner, J. Ryan; R. Ruddock, J. Conawn, D. Leavy. Reps: J. Tracy, J. McGrath, A. Porter, S. Fardy, J. Murphy, N. McCarthy, J. Carbery, R. O’Loughlin.
Stuart Berry (South
LEINSTER: Referee:
Africa).