The Scarlets come in the match against their rock-bottom regional counterparts still harbouring hopes of a top eight finish after a much-improved season has seen the west Wallians produce a much more competitive showing across the campaign.
Three straight URC defeats had threatened to derail Dwayne Peel’s side’s progress but a strong comeback victory three weeks ago against the Ospreys has raised morale in the Scarlets camp that a few more twists and turns are left in the final run-in.
The Llanelli-based region are back within touching distance of a shot at a top eight finish, and just three points off the playoff placings in an extremely congested table.
With four games remaining an opportunity is back to a certain extent within their own hands and with just six points separating Munster in fifth and Connacht in 13th Peel feels it is going to be tough but is taking one game at a time starting with the lowly Dragons.
“We won’t be underestimating them that’s for sure,” said Peel in his pre-match conference.
“We’ve had some real tough battles with them in the past. If you look at the players they have in the likes of Basham, Wainwright, and Elliott Dee, they are international players who have played in the Six Nations.
“They are going to want to get amongst us for sure. It is likely to be highly contested and physical.
“It will be an important match for us in terms of the league positioning.
“It’s very tight in the middle of the league so points are important at this stage of the season.
“There are four games left and it’s all to play for. For us, it’s about staying in that fight and putting ourselves in the best position.
“There is no room for error. Side’s will be taking points off each other and you have to be ready to pounce when the opportunity is available.
“It’s going to be a difficult game with the nature of Judgement Day itself and the emotion around the occasion.
“We will need to be at our best this week. We have trained well over the last two weeks, and our preparation has been good.
“We have a really good focus but we know we have to get our performance right to get anything out of this game.”
Rogers’ return against the Dragons will be a welcome boost for Peel’s side after recovering from surgery on a thumb injury sustained while playing for Wales in their Six Nations defeat against Scotland in March.
Rogers start on the wing sees Macs Page move to centre amongst three changes to the side.
Marnus van der Merwe gets the nod at hooker, while Alex Craig, player of the match on Judgement Day last season, reunites his second row combination with Sam Lousi.
The crunch match in the Welsh capital will however, come too soon for fly-half Sam Costelow, who has returned to training in Llanelli. After spending three months out with a broken collarbone, a return against leaders Leinster is a more likely target.
“Tom Rogers is back in training, so it is good to have him back. Costi [Sam Costelow] is also there,” continued Peel.
“I’m not sure if he’ll be available this week but he’s training well so it’s good to see him back on the training pitch.
“It is important to see he is right and confident and when the time is right, he will be put back in.”
Scarlets XV to face Dragons:
15 Blair Murray; 14 Tom Rogers, 13 Macs Page, 12 Eddie James, 11 Ellis Mee; 10 Ioan Lloyd, 9 Gareth Davies
1 Alec Hepburn, 2 Marnus van der Merwe, 3 Henry Thomas, 4 Alex Craig, 5 Sam Lousi, 6 Vaea Fifita, 7 Josh Macleod (captain), 8 Taine Plumtree.
Replacements:
16 Ryan Elias, 17 Sam O’Connor, 18 Sam Wainwright, 19 Jac Price, 20 Jarrod Taylor, 21 Archie Hughes, 22 Joe Roberts, 23 Ioan Nicholas.
[Lead image: Scarlets Rugby]
