Some of the next generation of Scarlets talent are handed their opportunities in Cape Town on Saturday, with director of rugby Nigel Davies excited by their potential.
While acknowledging taking on the Stormers in their own back yard represents one of the toughest challenges in club rugby, Davies is also relishing the chance to see the exuberance of Scarlets youth take the field.
“It is a fabulous place to come to play rugby,” he told the Welsh media ahead of the BKT URC round four clash. “The boys are energised and excited about the challenge that lies ahead
“When we planned our season we were always going to look to give players more opportunities. A lot of boys have been pushing and deserve their chance.
“As a side, we will only be truly successful when we have depth in our squad and we will only do that by exposing these players.
“You look at someone like Carlwyn Leggatt-Jones, he is our future and he will only realise that future if we give him opportunities. He is a year further down the road than when he first played for us, he has had another U20s campaign under his belt, he is a very confident young man and is ready to go. We also have the experience of Gareth Anscombe on the bench should we need it.
“Then there’s Ioan Jones. Since I have come to the club I have watched Ioan train and the games he has played for us and he is a fabulous player. He goes under the radar a bit, he is technically very good, is a bright rugby player, has high skill level and a huge right boot, he is an excellent player.”
Back-three speedster Isaac Murray-Magregor is also in line to make his URC debut at the DHL Stadium
“Isaac is a young man who is very attack orientated and as much as we have a huge regard and respect for the Stormers we are not coming here just to watch them play, we are coming here to play some rugby ourselves,” added Davies.
Davies revealed that new signing Tom Allen, who only arrived in west Wales on Sunday before flying out to South Africa with the squad on Tuesday, has fitted in well and could feature against the Vodacom Bulls in the second game of the tour in Pretoria next Saturday.
“He is athletic, he is powerful, we did some line-outs on Thursday and he was excellent; he also has a winning mentality. He has fitted in really well.”
Centre Johnny Williams sits this game out because of a calf niggle, but could return against the Bulls, as could prop Corey Domachowski, who suffered a chest injury in pre-season.