Scarlets travel to the capital to take on Cardiff in the first of five Welsh derbies over the Christmas period, with the away side out to continue their excellent recent record in this fixture.

Dwayne Peel’s side have not lost at the Arms Park since 2019, and have won four in a row.

The Scarlets head coach was in jovial mood with the media in the build-up, referencing the derby-day antics employed by Cardiff.

“Over the other side from the tunnel there is always a sea of Scarlet,” said head coach Dwayne Peel.

“What did the PA announcer say last year? ‘Scarlets fans have a safe trip back home to Pontcanna’. There are a lot of West Walians living in Cardiff and it is always a well-supported match for us.

“Our fans travel well, we had something like 500 in Bordeaux, it was class to see them. Their support is so important for us and to put on a show for them is important for us.”

After Scarlets finished in the top eight last season – booking a play-off spot in the process – the west Walian side have had a slow start to the URC season, winning just one of five matches so far, as well as struggling in the Champions Cup against richer sides.

Cardiff, by contrast, are second in the table after six matches, winning five. With three Welsh derbies coming in the next three weeks, they are poised for a strong run in the latter stages of the United Rugby Championship.

Cornel van Zyl’s side beat Ulster with an excellent last 20-minute comeback showing the spirit this side has.

Team News

Captain Liam Belcher returns to bolster the Cardiff pack, with Wales legend Taulupe Faletau also making his return from injury and making the bench.

Loose-head Danny Southworth, tight-head Javan Sebastian and lock Josh McNally come into the pack while wing Mason Grady and full-back Cam Winnett get the nod in the back three.

Wales flanker Alex Mann and scrum-half Johan Mulder are also back to join Faletau on a bench that features six forwards.

Scarlets are boosted by the return of Wales full-back Blair Murray, who missed both Champions Cup defeats to Bristol and Bordeaux-Begles through injury.

Centre or fly-half Joe Hawkins continues in the 10 jersey in the absence of Sam Costelow, whose ankle injury suffered in training this week could lead to a URC debut off the bench for academy prospect Elis Price.

Wing Tom Rogers, centre Johnny Williams and scrum-half Gareth Davies all return.

Teams

Cardiff Rugby

Cam Winnett, Josh Adams, Harri Millard, Ben Thomas, Mason Grady; Callum Sheedy, Aled Davies; Danny Southworth, Liam Belcher (capt), Javan Sebastian; Josh McNally, George Nott; James Botham, Dan Thomas, Alun Lawrence.

Replacements

Evan Lloyd, Rhys Barratt, Sam Wainwright, Rory Thornton, Alex Mann, Taulupe Faletau, Johan Mulder, Jacob Beetham.

Scarlets

Blair Murray; Tom Rogers, Eddie James, Johnny Williams, Ellis Mee; Joe Hawkins, Gareth Davies; Kemsley Mathias, Ryan Elias, Henry Thomas, Sam Lousi, Jake Ball; Max Douglas, Josh Macleod (capt), Fletcher Anderson.

Replacements

Marnus van der Merwe, Alec Hepburn, Harri O’Connor, Jarrod Taylor, Dan Davies, Archie Hughes, Ellis Price, Joe Roberts.

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