This post was originally published on this site.
The Scarlets take on English giants Northampton Saints today in what is a must-win Investec Champions Cup clash if they are to qualify for the knockout stages.
It was a big week for the west Walians who appointed former Wales coach Nigel Davies as interim director of rugby.
Davies has been brought in until the end of the season and is now in charge of the whole rugby operation with Dwayne Peel retaining his position as head coach.
And the 60-year-old could not have wished for a tougher first assignment with the Scarlets travelling to Franklin’s Gardens.
After the Bulls beat Pau on Friday night a win for the Scarlets will see them drop into the knockout stages of the second-tier Challenge Cup while a victory with a bonus point will allow Davies’ side to progress to the round of 16 in the Champions Cup.
But they are huge outsiders against a Northampton side who will be hoping to bounce back after a hiding in Bordeaux last Sunday.
The Scarlets are boosted by the return of Wales outside-half Sam Costelow who has recovered from an Achilles injury with Joe Hawkins moving back to inside centre where he is partnered by Eddie James.
Second-row Max Douglas also returns after a short ban for a red card picked up against the Dragons on New Year’s Day.
Northampton: Ramm; Todaro, Freeman, Dingwall (capt), Sleightholme; Belleau, Mitchell; Iyogun, R Smith, Davison, Munga, Van Der Mescht, Kemeny, Graham, Pollock.
Replacements: Wright, Fischetti, Mills, Lockett, Chick, McParland, Pater, Hendy.
Scarlets: J Davies; Mee, James, Hawkins, Murray; Costelow, A Hughes; Mathias, Elias, H Thomas, Douglas, Ball, Plumtree, Macleod (capt), Anderson.
Replacements: Van der Merwe, Hepburn, Harri O’Connor, J Taylor, Davis, G Davies, Page, T Lewis.
Referee: Kevin Bralley (Fra)
Assistants: Vincent Blasco Baque (Fra), Flavien Hourquet (Fra)
TMO: Julien Castaignede (Fra)
Kick-off is at 3.15pm with the game broadcast live on Premier Sports 1 but we will have we’ll have all the build-up, live score updates, key moments and reaction right here.
