Scarlets depleted for cup clash

Published: Friday, 14. October, 2011 in category Northern Hemishere
Davies: Made host of changes

No less than seven Scarlets are in the Wales squad to face France in the semi-final of the World Cup on Saturday morning, with Rhys Priestland, Ken Owens, Tavis Knoyle, Jon Davies, Stephen Jones, George North and Scott Williams.

Iestyn Thomas (calf strain), Nick Reynolds (ankle), Lou Reed (knee), Josh Turnbull (shoulder), Andy Fenby (ankle), Gareth Maule (ankle), Lee Williams (fracture cheekbone) and Gareth Davies (groin) are also missing.

Leicester coach Richard Cockerill has named a youthful side, with second row Geoff Parling handed the captaincy duties.

Rob Hawkins makes his first start of the campaign alongside props Jonny Harris and Ryan Bower, and George Ford is back at fly-half.

Academy starlet Adam Lewington is handed a chance on the wing, while George Skivington returns from injury to take a place among the replacements.

Scarlets: Evans, L Williams, Gomer Davies, Warren, Ford, Aled Thomas, Tipuna; John, Myhill, Jones, Day, Welch, Gilbert, J Edwards, K Murphy.

Replacements: Gardner, Hawkins, P Edwards, Timani, Pugh, Davies, J Williams, Rees.

Leicester: Morris, Rolston, Forsyth, Symons, Lewington, Ford, Harrison; Harris, Hawkins, Bower, Kitchener, Parling (c), Pienaar, Armes, Slater.

Replacements: Youngs, Bucknall, Balmain, Skivington, De Carpentier, Grindal, Staunton, Mama.