DERBY RIVALS SET FOR OPENER
CARMARTHEN Quins and Llandovery are poised to serve up a derby cracker when the new Premiership season starts on Saturday.
The Tywi Valley rivals clash at the Park (2.30pm) in a fixture that fans of both sides relish like no other.
Both clubs won six and lost five of their top-flight games last term.
Llandovery did, however, beat the Quins three times in league and cup clashes.
With that in mind, they are likely to start as slight favourites, even if they are away from home.
Former Scarlets hooker Marc Jones has joined the Quins coaching team and his vast experience gained with Sale Sharks and Bristol Bears will strengthen a set of forwards who are already a formidable force, given they boast the likes of hooker Torin Myhill, lock Haydn Pugh and back-rowers Ed Siggery and Richard Bloomfield.
Jones will be assisted by Welsh international Josh Turnbull, backs coach Nic Reynolds and forwards coach Rhys Lawrence.
Long-serving team manager Steff Thomas said: “We are lucky to have kept the nucleus of our squad and have added some local talent with flyhalf Luke Davies, centre Harrison Griffiths and scrum-half Luca Setaro, all who will prove good additions.
“We are satisfied with our pre-season preparations, beating Llanelli Wanderers and Chinnor and losing away to Cambridge in the last 20-minute period.
“It’s going to be ultra-competitive this year, starting straightaway with the visit of Llandovery.
“But for us it’s about looking after our own performances and seeing what rewards that can brings us.”
The Llandovery coaching team is virtually the same, with former Dragons flanker Nic Cudd the one eyecatching addition.
Head coach Euros Evans was pleased with his side’s 26-12 win over Cinderford in what was their final pre-season friendly after a victory over Nant Conwy and a narrow defeat by Pontypool.
Lock Jack Jones will again lead a side in which he will have outstanding support from prop Jamie Hughes and back-rowers Joe Powell and Stuart Worrall.
“We were very good in the first half against Cinderford but tailed off a little after the break,” said Evans.
“If we can get things together for all 80 minutes we will be hopeful of more than holding our own against most teams.
“We will approach the Quins game with our usual caution because we know that there is little to choose between us and them.
“Last season’s results are always poor yardsticks and it’s always been hard to get a win at the Park.
“I expect no difference this Saturday.
“We have made some excellent signings, the most significant the return to Church Bank of Wales centre Adam Warren who has taken up a position at Llandovery College.
“I know Adam well from his days at Coleg Sir Gâr and his tactical acumen and keen rugby brain will rub off on everyone.”
Jack Maynard and prop Llyr Green have also returned to Llandovery, while fly-half Ioan Hughes has moved to Church Bank after a spell with Llanelli.