Scarlets given fitness lift as duo get all-clear
JOHNNY McNicholl and Jake Ball have overcome their fitness issues to take their place in a powerful Scarlets’ line-up to face unbeaten Benetton in Llanelli tonight.
Both players left the field with knocks during the bruising win over defending champions Leinster last weekend.
But both have come through fitness tests – McNicholl took a bang on his neck and Ball had an Achilles niggle -- as Wayne Pivac’s side look to extend their current 22-match unbeaten home record in the competition.
Pivac has made just two personnel changes from last weekend’s 23-21 win over the Irish province with Wales internationals Jonathan Davies (hamstring) and Rhys Patchell (HIA) still absent.
The back division remains unaltered, while up front the two changes are enforced.
Wales prop Rob Evans picked up a shoulder injury last weekend so Phil Price is handed a rare start at loosehead with the fit-again Wyn Jones providing cover from the bench.
Jones hasn’t played since damaging a calf on Wales’ summer tour.
The other change sees Aussie flanker Ed Kennedy handed his first PRO14 start. Kennedy replaces Josh Macleod, who also suffered a shoulder
PARC Y SCARLETS
SCARLETS v BENETTON
knock last weekend with Blade Thomson moving across the back row to No. 8.
Benetton have won their opening two matches in the competition for the first time in their history and travel to west Wales full of confidence.
“We don’t have to look far back, we played them four times last season, it was 3-1 to us but one of those games at home in Europe, we switched off and needed a couple of late tries to win it, we have full respect for them,” said Pivac.
L Halfpenny; T Prydie, K Fonotia, H Parkes, J McNicholl; D Jones, G Davies; P Price, K Owens (capt), S Lee, J Ball, S Cummins, E Kennedy, J Davies, B Thomson. Reps: R Elias, W Jones, W Kruger, D Bulbring, D Davis, S Hidalgo-Clyne, P Asquith, I Nicholas.
L Sperandio; R Tavuyara, M Zanon, L Morisi, M Ioane; T Allan, D Duvenage; N Quaglio, H Faiva, S Ferrari, I Herbst, M Fuser, M Lazzaroni, R Barbieri (capt). Reps: E Makelara, C Traore, T Pasquali, A Zanni, M Barbini, G Bronzini, A Rizzi, A Sgarbi.
Lloyd Linton (Scotland)
Scarlets: Benetton: Referee: 5.15pm