Scarlets out to cash in on Welsh feel-good factor against Blues

Mar 20 2008 by Simon Kendal-Williams, South Wales Echo

THE Scarlets are hoping Grand Slammers Stephen Jones and Dwayne Peel will bring Welsh rugby’s feel-good factor when they tackle Cardiff Blues at Stradey Park tomorrow night.

The half-back pairing are thrust straight back into the fray for the crucial Magners League match for both regions. Jones came off the bench against France to help guide Wales to the coveted Slam, while Peel had to make do with the lap of honour for his piece of the action.

“I am sure the momentum of the Six Nations will take these boys through the next couple of weeks,” said director of rugby Phil Davies.

“Then we will give them a week off .

“As far as we are concerned we want to try and keep that feel-good factor going.

“The key is to try and get that consistency Warren Gatland has got for the national team.”

Alix Popham, whose only role was as a replacement in the opening win at Twickenham, is set to start at No.8 and hooker Matthew Rees is named on the bench.

Wing Mark Jones has a couple of niggles and is rested, along with skipper Simon Easterby, who announced his international retirement in the wake of Ireland’s defeat to England.

In contrast, the Blues have left out all three of their Six Nations stars, Gethin Jenkins, Tom Shanklin and Martyn Williams, although wing Jamie Roberts, lock Deiniol Jones and openside Robin Sowden-Taylor do figure. The Blues, two points ahead of their West Wales rivals, cannot afford another slip as they pursue leaders Leinster while the Scarlets, third in the table, are desperate for a victory to keep their fading hopes of the league title alive.

Davies will have been heartened by the displays of fly-half Jones during the championship, especially as the Lions star has not pulled on a Scarlets jersey since the derby win over the Ospreys in December. “The pressure put on Stephen last year was ridiculous, but he has managed it superbly and has always shown great form for us,” said Davies.

Scarlets: M Stoddart; D James, R King, Gavin Evans, N Brew; S Jones, D Peel (capt); I Thomas, M Schwalger, D Manu, A Eustace, L Reed, D Jones, A Popham, G Thomas. Reps: P John, M Rees, S MacLeod, J Bater, G Cattle, R Priestland, M Watkins.

Blues: B Blair; J Roberts, J Robinson, G Thomas, T Selley; N MacLeod, R Rees; J Yapp, R Thomas, G Powell, D Jones, S Morgan, M Molitika, X Rush (capt), R Sowden-Taylor. Reps: T Filise, G Williams, M Lewis, B White, J Spice, D Flanagan, M Stcherbina.