Scarlets Head Coach Wayne Pivac has spoken today ahead of the opening round of the Guinness PRO14 against Ulster Rugby and is looking ahead to the challenge ahead despite an injury hit squad.
Scarlets will be without fourteen frontline players for the opening round of the championship.
Looking ahead to the game at this morning’s press conference (Tuesday 28th August); “It’s going to be a good challenge, they’re probably in a similar boat to us, it will probably be a level playing field. I don’t think anyone expects to play grand final rugby in the first round.
“We certainly don’t expect to be hitting our straps in the opening rounds. For us it’s about getting the timing right and with the injuries we’ve got and return dates on those injuries we’re expecting to get stronger as we go along.”
Scarlets players unavailable for Saturday’s clash against Ulster Rugby, KO 17:15;
Paul Asquith – calf
Jake Ball – bicep tendon
Will Boyde – shoulder
Angus O’Brien – fractured hand
Uzair Cassiem – to undergo a scan today on lower leg injury
Dylan Evans – shoulder
Jonathan Evans – foot
Leigh Halfpenny – groin
Wyn Jones – calf
Samson Lee – cheekbone
Johnny McNicholl – facial fracture
Hadleigh Parkes – finger
Lewis Rawlins – shoulder
Aaron Shingler – knee
Samson Lee, Uzair Cassiem and Leigh Halfpenny all suffered injuries in Friday night’s pre-season friendly defeat to Bath Rugby.
Paul Asquith, Jake Ball, Will Boyde, Dylan Evans, Leigh Halfpenny, Samson Lee, Johnny McNicholl, Hadleigh Parkes and Lewis Rawlins are expected to make a return to action in the opening month of the season.
Tighthead prop Lee has undergone surgery to insert a plate after fracturing his cheekbone. Cassiem will have a scan today on a lower leg injury to determine the severity of the injury whilst Halfpenny is likely to be unavailable this weekend due to a groin injury.