Scarlets Give Young Talent European Start for Wales Selectors
The Scarlets have shown their confidence in young talent by giving teenage Wales U20s centre, Macs Page, his first European start against Gloucester at Kinsholm. Dwayne Peel has carefully managed Page, a former Swansea City academy player, who has displayed moments of brilliance this season. This match against Gloucester will be a significant test for Page, facing a team that dominated Sale Sharks in the Premiership last weekend.
This Challenge Cup fixture holds extra importance as Wales selectors will be present before announcing the Six Nations squad next Monday. They will pay particular attention to Gloucester’s Welsh players, including Gareth Anscombe, Tomos Williams, Max Llewellyn, Josh Hathaway, and Freddie Thomas. This game provides an opportunity for Scarlets players like wing Ellis Mee, who has impressed, as well as Ioan Lloyd and Blair Murray in the back-three.
In a youthful midfield, Page partners with Eddie James, while experienced Johnny Williams is sidelined with a foot injury, allowing Joe Roberts to provide cover. Former Wales U20s scrum-half, Archie Hughes, makes his first start of the season, partnering with Wales playmaker Sam Costelow in half-back. The Scarlets back division, with an average age of under 22, looks promising, with a youthful and dynamic lineup.
Up front, Kemsley Mathias returns to the loose-head berth alongside Marnus van der Merwe and Henry Thomas. Former Gloucester lock Alex Craig teams up with Max Douglas in the second row, while Tonga international Vaea Fifita takes on the No. 8 shirt. Josh Macleod leads the side, with tighthead prop Gabe Hawley set for his tournament debut from the bench.
Coach Peel expressed excitement for the upcoming match at Kingsholm, acknowledging the rich history Scarlets have in European competition. He considers away games crucial for picking up points in the challenging Challenge Cup pool. Peel praises the atmosphere at Kingsholm and anticipates a tough but valuable experience for the younger players in the squad.
Currently third in pool three, Scarlets look to secure a victory at Kingsholm to strengthen their position for the knockout stages. After a narrow loss to Bayonne in round one, followed by a convincing win over Black Lion, a strong performance against Gloucester could set them up well for the remainder of the competition.
In summary, Scarlets’ decision to field young talent like Macs Page reflects their commitment to nurturing and developing future stars. With Wales selectors observing closely, this European clash provides a platform for players to showcase their skills and stake their claim for national team selection. The Scarlets are eager to continue their competitive run and aim to secure a crucial victory away from home in this challenging Challenge Cup campaign.