Connacht are aiming for their first ever PRO12 season’s double over the Scarlets when they resume their league campaign on Sunday. However, history is against the westerners as they have not won away in Llanelli since October 2004.
GUINNESS PRO12: Sunday, February 15
SCARLETS (8th) v CONNACHT (6th), Parc y Scarlets, 12.45pm (live S4C/deferred coverage TG4)
Team News: Head coach Pat Lam has named his Connacht team to face the Scarlets in Llanelli on Sunday at the early kick-off time of 12.45pm.
Ireland international Kieran Marmion, who celebrated his 23rd birthday this week, has returned from national camp to take his place at scrum half for his 65th Connacht appearance. Jack Carty starts at out-half for the 15th time this season.
Darragh Leader shifts from wing to full-back with Niyi Adeolokun and Matt Healy starting on the wings in a back-line that has an average age of just under 24.
In the centre, the province’s top try scorer this season, Danie Poolman, is named to start outside Dave McSharry who recently committed to Connacht for two more years.
Up front, the front row is boosted by the return of tighthead prop Nathan White who plays his first GUINNESS PRO12 game since October.
Jake Heenan makes his long-awaited return since his injury in round 1 of the PRO12 and starts in a back row with captain John Muldoon and number 8 George Naoupu.
Eoghan Masterson and Tiernan O’Halloran are in line to make their seasonal debuts from the replacements bench, while it will be a first cap for out-half Shane O’Leary if he is called upon.
In injury news, Eoin McKeon sustained a fractured sternum and is expected to be out of action for four weeks, while former All Black Mils Muliaina is also looking at up to four weeks on the sidelines with a hamstring tear.
While the majority of Wales will have their eyes firmly fixed on Murrayfield this weekend, the Scarlets will be facing one of the most important clashes of the league season.
The Welsh region’s big hitters make a return to the team after a period of rest and recuperation over the LV= Cup campaign with international hooker Ken Owens making a return to lead the side.
In the back-line Jordan Williams, who has been named on the LV= Cup Breakthrough Player shortlist, will start at full-back while his namesake Liam is on Wales duty.
Speedster Harry Robinson joins Michael Tagicakibau on the wing with former Auckland Rugby captain Hadleigh Parkes lining up alongside fellow Kiwi Regan King in the centre for the first time. The half-back combination of Steven Shingler and Aled Davies will be looking to get their back-line firing.
An experienced front row of Phil John, Owens and Peter Edwards will form a solid platform for second row pairing Lewis Rawlins and Johan Snyman with Aaron Shingler, James Davies and John Barclay adding experience in the back row.
Wales Under-20 hooker Ryan Elias and Wales scrum half Gareth Davies have been released by their respective teams for this crunch PRO12 tie.
SCARLETS: Jordan Williams; Harry Robinson, Regan King, Hadleigh Parkes, Michael Tagicakibau; Steven Shingler, Aled Davies; Phil John, Ken Owens (capt), Peter Edwards, Lewis Rawlins, Johan Snyman, Aaron Shingler, James Davies, John Barclay.
Replacements: Ryan Elias, Ben Leung, Jacobie Adriaanse, George Earle, Rob McCusker, Gareth Davies, Adam Warren, Kristian Phillips.
CONNACHT: Darragh Leader; Niyi Adeolokun, Danie Poolman, Dave McSharry, Matt Healy; Jack Carty, Kieran Marmion; Denis Buckley, Tom McCartney, Nathan White, Quinn Roux, Aly Muldowney, John Muldoon (capt), Jake Heenan, George Naoupu.
Replacements: Dave Heffernan, JP Cooney, Rodney Ah You, Ultan Dillane, Eoghan Masterson, Ian Porter, Shane O’Leary, Tiernan O’Halloran.
Referee: Marius Mitrea (Italy)
Assistant Referees: Wayne Davies, Martyn Lewis (both Wales)
Television Match Official: Tim Hayes (Wales)
Match Odds (Paddy Power): Scarlets to win: 4/11; Draw: 20/1; Connacht to win: 2/1
Pre-Match Quotes: Pat Lam (Connacht) – “We lost Eoin (McKeon) and Mils (Muliaina) to injury which was obviously a big blow, especially on top of the loss of another back row in Willie (Faloon). But with these guys going down, it’s good to welcome back Jake and Tiernan from long-term injuries.
“What we see with this team are the huge opportunities up for grabs for so many young players. The likes of Shane O’Leary, who has worked hard in training and for the Eagles, has his first matchday involvement and we’re delighted for him.
“This is a huge game for us against a well-coached and quality side in the Scarlets. We know they are breathing right behind us and like us, they have top six aspirations. We haven’t won on their soil since 2004 and we’ve never won at Parc y Scarlets. We’ve challenged ourselves to take it to another level for this block of four games, and it must start with a performance this Sunday.”
Wayne Pivac (Scarlets) – “Connacht are a team sitting in the top six which is where we want to be. Pat (Lam) has got some players in who’ve made a difference to the side and the local guys have all stepped up. They’re a definite threat to the top four and top six scenario.
“We were disappointed when we went out there (to Galway) and lost 14-8 – it was a game we could have and should have won. We look forward to this game in what is a ‘must win’ fixture for us.”
Top Scorers – 2014/15 GUINNESS PRO12: Scarlets – Points: Rhys Priestland 75; Tries: Liam Williams 5; Connacht – Points: Jack Carty 32; Tries: Kieran Marmion 3
RECENT LEAGUE MEETINGS:
Friday, March 2, 2012 – Scarlets 38 Connacht 10, Parc y Scarlets
Saturday, September 15, 2012 – Connacht 11 Scarlets 24, the Sportsground
Friday, February 8, 2013 – Scarlets 25 Connacht 15, Parc y Scarlets
Saturday, November 23, 2013 – Connacht 21 Scarlets 24, the Sportsground
Sunday, March 30, 2014 – Scarlets 32 Connacht 30, Parc y Scarlets
Saturday, November 29, 2014 – Connacht 14 Scarlets 8, the Sportsground
MATCH FACTS:
– The Scarlets have won just one of their last five contests in the GUINNESS PRO12: 22-10 at home to the Ospreys on January 3
– The Scarlets are unbeaten in their last dozen PRO12 fixtures at Parc y Scarlets since the Ospreys beat them there 10-6 in December 2013
– The Welshmen have yet to beat an Irish province in the PRO12 this season. however only one Irish side has been victorious at Parc y Scarlets since December 2012: Leinster in the PRO12 on September 6, 2013
– Connacht’s only victory in their last four PRO12 games was 24-16 at home to Munster on New Year’s Day
– Connacht have not won away from home in the PRO12 since beating Benetton Treviso 9-6 at the Stadio di Monigo in round 6
– The westerners have lost on their last three visits to Wales since beating the Newport Gwent Dragons 24-8 at Rodney Parade on March 23 last year
– Connacht beat the Scarlets 14-8 in Galway in round 9 and are going for a first ever PRO12 season’s double over the Welshmen, however they have not beaten the Scarlets on their own soil since a trip to Stradey Park on October 9, 2004
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