30 points separated these sides when they met in Dublin in September, and Leinster will be hoping their positive run of results against the Scarlets continues in this evening’s round 17 clash in Llanelli.
GUINNESS PRO12: Saturday, March 7
SCARLETS (7th) v LEINSTER (4th), Parc y Scarlets, 5.15pm (live Sky Sports 1 HD)
Team News: There are seven changes to the Leinster team originally selected to start against the Ospreys last Friday in the 9-9 draw in Swansea.
Having been retained by Ireland last weekend although not involved in the matchday squad against England, Luke Fitzgerald starts on the left wing with Fergus McFadden on the right wing and Zane Kirchner at full-back.
It is the same centre partnership with Gordon D’Arcy featuring at inside centre for his 255th appearance in blue while outside him Ben Te’o wears the number 13 jersey. There was no suspension imposed on Te’o following a disciplinary hearing yesterday. Eoin Reddan and Jimmy Gopperth pair up again at half-back.
There are five changes to the pack named to start last weekend. It is a completely new front row with internationals Cian Healy, Sean Cronin and Martin Moore all starting. It is Healy’s first start for Leinster since the opening day trip to Glasgow Warriors in September.
Like Fitzgerald, Mike McCarthy was also retained by the Irish management last weekend, and comes into the second row to partner Kane Douglas who makes his 20th appearance for the province.
In the back row Rhys Ruddock captains the side from blindside flanker, with Dominic Ryan starting at openside. Jack Conan is once again selected at the base of the scrum having recovered from the ankle injury that forced him out of the team before kick-off last Friday.
Meanwhile, the Scarlets will take on Leinster with Wales international Scott Williams making a return to partner Regan King in the centre.
Williams will make his first appearance for the region since the final pool game of the European Champions Cup against reigning champions Toulon in January. Hadleigh Parkes moves to the left wing in place of Michael Tagicakibau who is unavailable for selection due to concussion.
South African lock Johan Snyman returns to the second row alongside fellow countryman George Earle, while Lewis Rawlins comes into the back row in place of shoulder injury victim Aaron Shingler.
SCARLETS: Jordan Williams; Harry Robinson, Regan King, Scott Williams, Hadleigh Parkes; Steven Shingler, Aled Davies; Phil John, Ken Owens (capt), Peter Edwards, George Earle, Johan Snyman, Lewis Rawlins, James Davies, John Barclay.
Replacements: Ryan Elias, Wyn Jones, Jacobie Adriaanse, Jack Payne, Rory Pitman, Gareth Davies, Rhys Priestland, Adam Warren.
LEINSTER: Zane Kirchner; Fergus McFadden, Ben Te’o, Gordon D’Arcy, Luke Fitzgerald; Jimmy Gopperth, Eoin Reddan; Cian Healy, Sean Cronin, Martin Moore, Mike McCarthy, Kane Douglas, Rhys Ruddock (capt), Dominic Ryan, Jack Conan.
Replacements: Richardt Strauss, Michael Bent, Tadhg Furlong, Tom Denton, Josh van der Flier, Isaac Boss, Noel Reid, Dave Kearney.
Referee: George Clancy (Ireland)
Assistant Referees: Gwyn Morris, Chris Williams (both Wales)
Television Match Official: Tim Hayes (Wales)
Pre-Match Quotes: Rhys Ruddock (Leinster) – “It’s been some tough times (being out injured). Watching the lads in Leinster having some huge games and then watching the Irish lads doing so well. At the same time, we’ve plenty to play for now until the end of the season. I’m just delighted to be back on the field.
“I think to go over to the Liberty and get a win has proven to be a really difficult task in the last number of years. We haven’t done so in the PRO12 for a number of years. A draw wasn’t what we were looking for but I think it could end up being crucial come the end of the season, especially against a team we’re probably going to be fighting for places with.
“The Scarlets are in a similar position. They’re kind of scrapping around for points, missing a few players – they’ll probably get a few back this week. They’re really looking to catch up ground on some of the teams that are just ahead of them.
“They seem to be going really, really well at home this year. We can expect a similar challenge to last weekend. We’re going to have to scrap for everything and find it very difficult to get a win but that’s definitely our intention.”
Wayne Pivac (Scarlets) – “This game is hugely important for us, if we can get a win here I think we’ll be fine for top six when you look at the remainder of the season. No disrespect to the opposition we play, or Connacht play, but they’ve got a lot tougher run-in.
“Connacht are playing teams above them, we play teams below us. On that basis if we can stay in touch with them after this weekend we won’t have to worry about other results too much.
“Leinster have been in the top four on numerous occasions in the last few years. They’ve done that by having depth in their squad, they probably felt a bit unlucky to come away with a draw last weekend away from home.
“They bounced back from the game against the Dragons. We expect them to be fighting for the top four spot. We expect a big challenge from them and they bring a lot of experience with them this time of year. I’d like to think it’ll be like a Test match how we treasure the ball and play field position.”
Top Scorers – 2014/15 GUINNESS PRO12: Scarlets – Points: Steve Shingler 99; Tries: Liam Williams 5; Leinster – Points: Ian Madigan 113; Tries: Ian Madigan, Dominic Ryan 4 each
RECENT LEAGUE MEETINGS:
Friday, February 17, 2012 – Leinster 16 Scarlets 13, the RDS
Saturday, September 1, 2012 – Scarlets 45 Leinster 20, Parc y Scarlets
Saturday, February 23, 2013 – Leinster 32 Scarlets 5, the RDS
Friday, September 6, 2013 – Scarlets 19 Leinster 42, Parc y Scarlets
Saturday, November 30, 2013 – Leinster 36 Scarlets 19, the RDS
Saturday, September 13, 2014 – Leinster 42 Scarlets 12, the RDS
MATCH FACTS:
– The Scarlets have won just one of their last four GUINNESS PRO12 matches: 32-14 at home to Connacht on February 15
– The Welshmen are unbeaten in the PRO12 at Parc y Scarlets since the Ospreys visited the stadium in December 2013
– Leinster have lost just one of their last seven matches in all competitions – 16-14 at home to the Dragons in the PRO12 on February 15 – a sequence which includes two draws
– The Leinstermen’s only defeat in their last nine trips to Wales in all competitions was to the Ospreys in the PRO12 last April
– Leinster have won their last six contests with the Scarlets in all tournaments, while their only defeat in their last four fixtures with the Welshmen was 45-20 at Parc y Scarlets in the PRO12 in round 1 of the 2012/13 season
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