Former Llandovery College student Archie Hughes will captain a youthful Scarlets squad for their second game of pre-season, against Dragons RFC at Llandovery’s Church Bank on Friday night (7pm).
The match is supporting the College’s current fundraising campaign with a number of other Old Llandoverians part of a 30-strong squad.
Scrum-half Hughes will link up with Wales international Gareth Anscombe as the Scarlets continue to build competition and depth across the squad.
The O’Connor brothers, also former Llandovery College students, Sam and Harri, pack down in the front row, along with hooker George Roberts, a standout in last weekend’s win in Exeter.
Gabe Cahsay is handed another opportunity in the second row along with Jac Price, while Tristan Davies, Dan Davis and No. 8 Osian Williams make up the back row.
The match is the Scarlets’ second pre-season fixture following last weekend’s victory against the Chiefs and represents another important step towards the big Welsh derby URC opener against Cardiff at Parc y Scarlets on September 26.
In the backline, Gabe McDonald is joined by Jac Davies in midfield, while Iori Badham, Ioan Jones and Isaac Murray-Macgregor make up an exciting, attacking back three.
There is further quality and experience across the wider match-day squad, with a bench including Corey Domachowski, Harvey Cuckson and Ioan Nicholas, as well as Wales U20s lock Will Evans – with Friday providing another opportunity for players to put themselves firmly into the selection conversation.
Hooker Isaac Young, flanker Tiaan Sparrow, scrum-half George Macdonald and centres Gryff Watkins and Jayden Brown also come into the squad.
In what promises to be a fantastic showcase of the young talent coming through the region, Scarlets U18s will play their Academy Championship match against the Dragons as a curtain raiser at 4pm.
Scarlets Director of Rugby Nigel Davies said: “We saw some really encouraging things against Exeter. There was ambition in the way we played, we competed physically and there were periods where you could clearly see the identity we’re trying to develop.
“There were also areas where we need to be better and that’s exactly what this period is about. Friday gives us another opportunity to build on the good things, address those areas and continue embedding the processes we’ve put in place throughout pre-season.
“One of the big objectives for us is developing genuine depth and competition throughout the squad. We don’t want our performance to be dependent on a small group of players. We need competition in every position and confidence that whoever pulls on the jersey understands what we’re trying to do and can deliver it.
“That’s the challenge on Friday. Different combinations and different opportunities, but the same standards and the same expectations.
“Players are competing for places and that’s exactly the environment we want. Any Scarlets team taking the field is expected to represent how we want to play, that is to compete hard, create pressure, play with ambition and stay connected in what we do.”
Davies said the fixture’s connections to Llandovery College and Llandovery RFC in the heart of the region has added significance. “It’s also important that we recognise where we’re playing and what Llandovery College has contributed to rugby in this region and across Wales.
“For decades it has helped develop outstanding rugby players, including players who have gone on to perform at the very highest level of the game. That contribution to the pathway is hugely important. Professional clubs don’t develop players on their own. There are schools, colleges, community clubs, coaches, teachers, volunteers and families who put years of work to help develop players with strong values, friendships and a real connection to the game.
“Llandovery College has been an important part of that story for generations, so we’re delighted to bring a Scarlets fixture to Church Bank and support the College’s fundraising campaign and our thanks goes to Llandovery RFC for helping facilitate this.”
Keep an eye out on our social media channels for the U18s team announcement.
Entry (to include both games) is £10 for adults with U16s and concessions free. Admission will be pay on the gate and all proceeds go to Llandovery College’s fund-raising campaign.
Scarlets v Dragons RFC (Friday, September 11; Llandovery RFC, 7pm)
15 Isaac Murray-Macgregor; 14 Ioan Jones, 13 Jac Davies, 12 Gabe McDonald, 11 Iori Badham; 10 Gareth Anscombe, 9 Archie Hughes (capt); 1 Sam O’Connor, 2 George Roberts, 3 Harri O’Connor, 4 Gabe Cahsay, 5 Jac Price, 6 Tristan Davies, 7 Dan Davis, 8 Osian Williams.
Replacements: Isaac Young, Josh Morse, Corey Domachowski, Gabe Hawley, Will Evans, Harvey Cuckson, Dom Kossuth, Tiaan Sparrow, Joe Denman, George Macdonald, Madoc Evans, Ioan Nicholas, Gryff Watkins, Jayden Brown, Callum Woolley.