Henry Thomas to make debut against Sarries

Rob LloydFeatured

Wales international Henry Thomas will make his Scarlets debut in Friday’s final pre-season outing against Saracens at the StoneX Stadium (7pm).

A summer signing from French side Castres Olympique, Thomas starts at tight-head prop in a much-changed line-up from last weekend’s clash in Leicester.

Thomas packs down in the front row with fellow internationals Kemsley Mathias and Ryan Elias, who captains the side from hooker.

Alex Craig is back in action following his summer exploits with Scotland and he partners Max Douglas in the second row.

Taine Plumtree will have his first run out of the season at blindside flanker, Jarrod Taylor switches to openside and Vaea Fifita continues at No. 8.

In the backs, the all-international pairing of Gareth Davies and Sam Costelow are named at half-back; there is another chance to see the exciting young midfield combination of Eddie James and Macs Page, while Ioan Lloyd switches to full-back and Tom Rogers moves across to the right wing. Blair Murray gets another outing on the left wing.

Head coach Dwayne Peel has named an extended squad with a 13-man bench that includes Ed Scragg making his first appearance of the campaign.

Peel said: “It is another important game to continue our build-up to round one of the URC against Benetton. It is good to welcome back some of our internationals and hopefully we’ll have a few more boys back for next week’s game.”

Scrum-half Archie Hughes is to see a specialist following the ankle injury he suffered against Leicester last weekend, while a few players are carrying niggles and will be assessed next week ahead of the URC opener.

Scarlets v Saracens (Friday, September 13; Stonex Stadium 7pm)

15 Ioan Lloyd; 14 Tom Rogers, 13 Macs Page, 12 Eddie James, 11 Blair Murray; 10 Sam Costelow, 9 Gareth Davies; 1 Kemsley Mathias, 2 Ryan Elias (capt), 3 Henry Thomas, 4 Alex Craig, 5 Max Douglas, 6 Taine Plumtree, 7 Jarrod Taylor, 8 Vaea Fifita

Reps: 16 Marnus van der Merwe, 17 Sam O’Connor, 18 Harri O’Connor, 19 Jac Price, 20 Ed Scragg, 21 Dan Davis, 22 Ben Williams, 23 Carwyn Tuipulotu, 24 Efan Jones, 25 Charlie Titcombe, 26 Gabe McDonald, 27 Jac Davies, 28 Ellis Mee.