The West Wales Derby

Tomorrow sees Parc y Scarlets host it's first west Wales derby match between the Scarlets and Ospreys. With 11,000 tickets apparently being sold it promises to be a memorable occasion - but possibly for the wrong reasons. Both teams have named relatively weak squads for one reason or another and both have just recorder arguably their worst defeat of the season.

The Ospreys come to y Parc still fresh from the agony of their Thomond Park massacre at the hands of Munster and the Scarlets enter the game after an embarrassing loss to Glasgow on home soil.

The Teams:

Scarlets:

Rhys Priestland; Mark Jones, Jon Davies, Gavin Evans, Daniel Evans; Stephen Jones (capt), Martin Roberts; Phil John, Matthew Rees, Deacon Manu, Vernon Cooper, Dominic Day, Josh Turnbull, Dafydd Jones, David Lyons.

Replacements: Iestyn Thomas, Mahonri Schwalger, Aaron Shingler, Rob McCusker, Gavin Cattle, Lee Williams, Rob Higgitt.

Ospreys:

Gareth Owen; Tommy Bowe, Sonny Parker, Jonathan Spratt, Shane Williams; Dan Biggar, Mike Phillips; Paul James, Richard Hibbard, Cai Griffiths, Filipo Levi, Andy Lloyd, Tom Smith, Marty Holah, Ryan Jones (capt).

Replacements: Huw Bennett, Adam Jones, Alun Wyn Jones, Steve Tandy, Rhys Webb, James Hook, Lee Byrne.

Referee: John Lacey (IRFU)

Both teams appear to have made quite a few questionable selections although I'm sure the players will be looking to improve on recent performances.