Do we have a chance on Friday?

[Smudge]

I thought May was fit to come back this week?

[Cagey Tiger]

Scarlets do have a fair few injuries at the moment, but they lose a lot of players during the AIs and 6N, as well as the usual string of injuries. Because of that, a lot of their 2nd string players get plenty of game time during each season. A lot more than at an English club.

True but against opposition of the same standard. It's basically like saying they've played more A game rugby than their English counterparts.

I didn't make any observation about the quality of the opposition. Just that they get more game time, which you seem to agree with. This helps with match fitness, getting to understand the team's playing style plus getting to know the way that 1st team regulars, who are not involved in the internationals, play. The last two in a match environment in a league more important to the "club" than the A league.

[OaM2]

Scarlets do have a fair few injuries at the moment

A lot of injuries to key players sadly. Patchell is out, as is McNicholl. Both with HIAs.

Angus O'Brien tore his ACL against Racing, so we are donw to one serviceable 10, albeing Asquith and Parkes could cover 10.

And of course Cubby and Shingler are long term absences in the backrow.

But no excuses, we have a strong enough team to be competitive albeit we are not the team we were last season.

I expect:

15 Halfpenny**
14 Asquith
13 Foxy**
12 Parkes**
11. Steff Evans*
10 Dan Jones
9 Gareth Davies**

8. Blade Thompson***
7. Will Boyde
6. Ed Kennedy
5. Dave Bulbring
4. Jake Ball*
3. Samson Lee**
2 Ken Owens**
1 Rob Evans**

Subs Elias*, Wyn Jones*, Kruger, Cummins/Price, Josh McLoed, Hidalgo Cline*, Steff Hughes, Prydie*

* denoted internationals
** first choice Welsh players
***NZ Moari

[Grimlish]

15. Jonah Holmes
14. Telusa Veaniu
13. Manu Tuilagi
12. Kyle Eastmond
11. Jordan Olowolofela
10. George Ford
9. Ben Youngs
1. Greg Bateman
2. Tatafu Polota-Nau
3. Dan Cole
4. Mike Williams (c)
5. Will Spencer
6. Dave Denton
7. Brendan O'Connor
8. Sione Kalamafoni

16. Tom Youngs
17. David Faeo
18. Joe Heyes
19. Will Evans
20. Guy Thompson
21. Ben White
22. Matt Toomua
23. Adam Thompstone

Four flankers in the 23 (including Evans who I doubt is available yet) and the only second row cover coming from Denton and Thompson who both start? Surely one of Kitchener or Wells has to be on the bench if fit. Would be fit and proper to see Toomua start from the bench again imho.

[Leicestertinytiger]

15. Jonah Holmes
14. Telusa Veaniu
13. Manu Tuilagi
12. Kyle Eastmond
11. Jordan Olowolofela
10. George Ford
9. Ben Youngs
1. Greg Bateman
2. Tatafu Polota-Nau
3. Dan Cole
4. Mike Williams (c)
5. Will Spencer
6. Dave Denton
7. Brendan O'Connor
8. Sione Kalamafoni

16. Tom Youngs
17. David Faeo
18. Joe Heyes
19. Will Evans
20. Guy Thompson
21. Ben White
22. Matt Toomua
23. Adam Thompstone

Four flankers in the 23 (including Evans who I doubt is available yet) and the only second row cover coming from Denton and Thompson who both start? Surely one of Kitchener or Wells has to be on the bench if fit. Would be fit and proper to see Toomua start from the bench again imho.

I wouldn’t mind seeing some players like Bateman, Youngs and Kalamafoni given a rest, they probably deserve it. I’d go for:

15. Holmes
14. Veainu
13. Tuilagi
12. Eastmond
11. Thompstone
10. Ford (C)
9. Youngs
1. Feao
2. Polota-Nau
3. Cole
4. Williams
5. Wells
6. Thompson
7. O'Connor
8. Denton

16. Youngs
17. Bateman
18. Heyes
19. Spencer
20. Kalamafoni
21. White
22. Toomua
23. Owen

[BFG]

I saw somewhere that Scarlets have problems at fly half for this match.
I'd go both BOC and Thompson for this match, I thought they reduced Ulster's threat considerably for long periods and if Scarlets have doubts around the 10 then I can't think of two better available players to pressure them.
I'd possibly opt for Feao as well to have a go at Samson Lee with Bateman to enter later if the game opens up a bit.
For me if available then Spencer must start.
I fully expect a Leicester win, not a given but I would be surprised were it not.
Can't kick badly to Halfpenny or allow Davies to get outside Manu!

[Big Dai]

Nope! My Welsh mates reckon we're in for a stuffing.

So your bottle of cognac is likely to remain untouched?
A bit of wishful thinking on my part tells me that the bottle could be empty at the end of the game - through celebration and not commiseration!

Sir....your sentiments warm my heart......if not my wallet!!

[TTRITH]

15. Jonah Holmes
14. Telusa Veaniu
13. Manu Tuilagi
12. Kyle Eastmond
11. Jordan Olowolofela
10. George Ford
9. Ben Youngs
1. Greg Bateman
2. Tatafu Polota-Nau
3. Dan Cole
4. Mike Williams (c)
5. Will Spencer
6. Dave Denton
7. Brendan O'Connor
8. Sione Kalamafoni

16. Tom Youngs
17. David Faeo
18. Joe Heyes
19. Will Evans
20. Guy Thompson
21. Ben White
22. Matt Toomua
23. Adam Thompstone

Four flankers in the 23 (including Evans who I doubt is available yet) and the only second row cover coming from Denton and Thompson who both start? Surely one of Kitchener or Wells has to be on the bench if fit. Would be fit and proper to see Toomua start from the bench again imho.

That's :censored: embarrasing. I meant Harry Wells on the bench.

[strawclearer]

From Smurf in the Merc:

Will Spencer and Graham Kitchener return
"Hopefully we have Jonny May back fit, too."
David Denton and Telusa Veainu are rated "touch and go" as they work their way through head injury protocols, while there is a doubt over flanker Brendon O'Connor.
"Brendon is touch and go," Murphy said. "His hamstring came through perfectly against Ulster but he has got to have a scan on his hand and we will see how he goes with that."

I'm guessing Kitch and Will as locks with Williams, Thompson and Kalamafoni as 6/7/8 - assuming BO'C out with hand injury and @dentweezy going through HIA protocol. Harry W benched.