Samson set to make Scarlets comeback against Dragons
SAMSON Lee is set to make his longawaited return from injury against the Dragons on Friday night, handing the Scarlets and Wales a timely injury boost ahead of European and Six Nations action.
The tight-head prop (pictured) hasn’t featured since the Champions Cup defeat to Bath on October 20 because of a recurrence of an Achilles issue.
And it meant he was unable to play any part in Wales’ autumn series campaign, where the home scrum was exposed on a number of occasions.
Lee has been undergoing a recovery programme in conjunction with the Welsh Rugby Union and his regional coach Wayne Pivac is delighted to see the popular prop back at full tilt.
“I am really happy for Samson,” he said.
“In conjunction with the WRU boys, the medical teams have put a plan together for Samson and he has worked tirelessly at getting himself right.
“He is feeling much stronger and he is saying he can push off both legs with an even amount of power, which is great news.
“He has come through the live scrummaging and at the same time he has also done a lot of work on his conditioning so has a different body shape than six weeks ago, it is noticeable; he is getting around the field better in training.”
Lee’s return provides some rare positive injury news for Wales coach Warren Gatland, who has seen the likes of Dan Lydiate, George North and Hallam Amos join the Six Nations casualty roster in recent days.
It will also be warmly welcomed by the Scarlets, who are set to be without virtually their entire firstchoice back division against the Dragons – their third Guinness PRO14 derby match in 10 days.
Wales full-back Leigh Halfpenny is to have a scan on a pectoral muscle issue, although the British and Irish Lion is hopeful of being fit for next week’s crunch Champions Cup showdown against Bath.
“Leigh picked up a pec injury so we are getting that checked out, we would have rested him this week anyway with the number of games he has played,” added Pivac.
“He is thinking he will be right next week, he is a bit sore at the moment, but it is improving daily.”
Johnny McNicholl (shoulder), Scott Williams (various knocks), Hadleigh Parkes (knee) and Gareth Davies (groin), are also set to sit out the match against the Men of Gwent with one eye on next Friday’s clash at The Rec.
To compound matters the versatile Paul Asquith hasn’t been able to train because of illness and Josh Macleod needs to rest a foot issue, but Jonathan Evans has recovered from the ankle injury he picked up in South Africa at the end of November, while forwards Aaron Shingler and Lewis Rawlins are available.
Meanwhile, the Scarlets have confirmed they won’t be making an appeal against the four-week suspension imposed on wing Steff Evans following his dismissal for a dangerous challenge in the Boxing Day win over the Ospreys.