Glasgow v Scarlets

Glasgow Warriors v Scarlets   14/04/23

Well, an interesting fixture to be sure. The Scarlets won't be featuring in the play-offs, won't win their Welsh mini league and can only qualify for next season's Champions Cup by winning this year's Diddy Cup. Glasgow, on the other hand are in the play-offs, have won their mini league and know that one more league win guarantees a home tie against...probably the Craggy Islanders. Then at the end of the month Glasgow travel to Llanelli for the Diddy Cup semi final. At this point I feel as if I should apologise to any Luvvies' fans reading this as their season finished weeks ago.

So, what kind of teams will we see tomorrow? I don't think either club want to put out a second XV and lose heavily as this would probably hand quite a significant psychological advantage to the other. However, playing their first choice 23 pretty much means that the opposition coaches get plenty of time to analyse the match footage.

I think the Scarlets will rest quite a few players as they don't have that much squad depth and are already missing a couple of important players.
Glasgow may feel a win here means that the last league match against Connacht becomes a dead rubber and players can be rested then, and will put out a fairly strong side.

Here's my stab at the home side;

Front row
L/H  Dell/McBeth
Hooker Chuckles/Matthews
T/H Sordoni/Ragnar

Second Row
Groot/Squaddie/Cummings Big Richie should be rested, he has been exceptionally good and should put his feet up until the semi.

Back Row
I would rest Dempsey-Fagerson-Darge-Big Shona until the semi and the play offs.
Big Man Jessie-Batman-Mullet with Gregor Brown or Ali Miller to bench, possibly both if it's a 6/2 split. Big Man Jessie has been on the injured list but seems to be in full training this week so needs a run out if he is to feature in the business end of the season. Batman might be playing his last game for Glasgow  

Half backs
Aldi Price/ House Elf  Aldi needs game time, Dobie could cover the wing if needed.
Jordan/Meatball Ross Thompson's absence has put a strain on the 10 position; Meatball hasn't really claimed the jersey, Jordan is still learning and Miotti can't play every game.I think Miotti and Jordan need to be kept fit for later matches.

Centres
Johnson-Lord Stafford who have been very, very good whenever they have played.

Back three
   
Injuries have really struck us down here. ideally, Seaman and Smith would be rested but there seems to be a real shortage of alternatives. Josh Mckay looks to be back in training and Cole Forbes had a quadricep injury so he might be fit again. Ideally;
McKay-Forbes-Fifita
but Dobie has been preferred on the wing to Big Walter recently so it doesn't look like the General trusts the big fella. We could see Seaman at 15 and McKay-Forbes on the wings, but again Seaman could probably do with a rest.
I've highlighted the three I think we'll see.

I don't think the league table lies: Glasgow should win this. However, the semi at Parc y Scarlets will be a different matter.

We can win our mini league if we win our remaining games with BP's & results go our way. That said I can't see us sending a full strength side up to your gaff given we can't qualify for the top 8. That said, some of our youngsters who have done well for us may get rested & then you have players like Patchell, J.Davies etc to come back in.

Will be an interesting watch.

Was feeling happy not seeing Huw Jones in the centre then noticed he's at 15.

Glasgow Warriors team to face the Scarlets at Scotstoun, Friday 14 April, kick-off 7.35pm. Tickets are still available at glasgowwarriors.org.

1 Jamie Bhatti (84)
2 Johnny Matthews (45)
3 Zander Fagerson (123)
4 Lewis Bean (36)
5 JP du Preez (20)
6 Ryan Wilson (220)
7 Matt Fagerson (90)
8 Sione Vailanu (15)

9 Ali Price (125)
10 Tom Jordan (20)
11 Cole Forbes (36)
12 Sam Johnson (102)
13 Stafford McDowall (52)
14 Kyle Steyn (C) (61)
15 Huw Jones (55)

Replacements

16 Fraser Brown (137)
17 Nathan McBeth (20)
18 Simon Berghan (29)
19 Richie Gray (97)
20 Scott Cummings (101)
21 Rory Darge (27)
22 Jamie Dobie (49)
23 Domingo Miotti (18)

Unavailable for selection: Sebastian Cancelliere (knee), Facundo Cordero (hamstring), Jack Dempsey (back), Sintu Manjezi (knee), Jack Mann (head), Josh McKay (foot), Enrique Pieretto (chest), Ross Thompson (foot), Sione Tuipulotu (shoulder).

Looking at the side, we have gone for size in both the pack and the backs. The backrow is three no.8s so not sure the numbers on their backs will matter.

I liked H Jones at FB when he got the opportunity and it makes sense to keep the Johnson-McDowall partnership rather than pushing McDowall to FB. Kicking and the overall pace of our back three are probably the main concerns but that is being nit-picky.

Bench is pretty average

Just shows what I know.

Scarlets team

15 Tom Rogers; 14 Steff Evans, 13 Ioan Nicholas, 12 Eddie James, 11 Ryan Conbeer; 10 Dan Jones, 9 Kieran Hardy; 1 Wyn Jones, 2 Shaun Evans, 3 Sam Wainwright, 4 Morgan Jones, 5 Vaea Fifita, 6 Iwan Shenton, 7 Josh Macleod (capt), 8 Carwyn Tuipulotu.

Replacements: 16 Daf Hughes, 17 Steff Thomas, 18 Javan Sebastian, 19 Aaron Shingler, 20 Iestyn Rees, 21 Dane Blacker, 22 Rhys Patchell, 23 Joe Roberts.

Unavailable because of injury

Sione Kalamafoni, Leigh Halfpenny, Ben Williams, Taylor Davies, Dan Davis, Johnny McNicholl, Tom Price, Jac Price, Jonathan Davies, Scott Williams, Ryan Elias, Corey Baldwin, Alex Jeffries, Callum Williams, Samson Lee.

Scarlets look to have several big names injuries in Kalamafoni, 1/2p, McNicholl, Scott Williams and JD2. The bench looks decent. Sebastian is decent, Blacker has good reviews, Patchell (when fit) is a decent playmaker with a massive boot and Aaron Shingler is old but has been a very good BS.

Don't know if a Scarlets fan can give us thoughts on the 23?

Hazel Sapling wrote:Scarlets look to have several big names injuries in Kalamafoni, 1/2p, McNicholl, Scott Williams and JD2. The bench looks decent. Sebastian is decent, Blacker has good reviews, Patchell (when fit) is a decent playmaker with a massive boot and Aaron Shingler is old but has been a very good BS.

Don't know if a Scarlets fan can give us thoughts on the 23?

I mean it certainly isn't our strongest starting XV but Fifita has been unplayable as of late, we have rested the virtually ever present Lousi along with a few others. Shenton is a newcomer to our starting XV, am surprised to see Macloed start especially as it's on a plastic pitch but he could be a point of difference at 7.

The majority of the backs have been rested so hopefully they will have had time to gel in training. I think its you guys by 10 really.

just a couple of interesting things coming out of Glasgow; this evening's pack is the heaviest starting set of fat boys for SIX years ( and there is no shortage of grunt on the bench) and Nigel Carolan has ben saying that Seba Cancilliere is about a week away from a return.
In the best of all possible worlds Glasgow pick up 5 points tonight making the game against the Craggy Islanders academic and Seba gets twenty minutes off the bench after tackling has been deemed optional.
Considering there are ten changes from the Lions game that is a very impressive side. Glasgow should be looking at a win tonight, but I expect a very different Scarlets' side for the away fixture.

To be fair Glasgow's 6-2 bench split they have had for the majority of the season really has paid off for them.  Taken straight from the SA playbook.

Wonder if more teams will start adapting to this tactic.

Patchell is really out of favor if he can't start ahead of Dan Jones.  This won't end well for Scarlets.  Can see Glasgow winning this one at a canter.

To be  fair to Scarlets their season was over in the URC after that awful opening 9 rounds.  At least all welsh sides now know the days of cruising through matches has now gone and starting the season well is almost as important as ending it well.

Assumed the Fagersons, Jones and Steyn are in the 1st team; it'll be interesting to see which of the other 11, if any, will make the starting team for the semi-final match up. Think that'll be an added motivation to perform well tonight to try to force themselves into contention. Think the Scarlets have been smart here with their team selection. Little is expected so if they go well it'll be a bonus, if it doesn't it'll be a very different and much stronger team for the semi. We meanwhile could still do with a good win for the URC playoffs. On paper we should win this, but the match is on grass - well plastic...

If we look at the team tonight and try to predict the side for the semi, injuries permitting, I think it may be something like this;

1 Jamie Bhatti (84)
2 Johnny Matthews (45)Turner
3 Zander Fagerson (123)
4 Lewis Bean (36) Big Richie
5 JP du Preez (20) Cummings
6 Ryan Wilson (220) Dempsey
7 Matt Fagerson (90)
8 Sione Vailanu (15)

9 Ali Price (125)
10 Tom Jordan (20)Miotti
11 Cole Forbes (36) Seba
12 Sam Johnson (102) Wee Shone
13 Stafford McDowall (52) Shug
14 Kyle Steyn (C) (61)
15 Huw Jones (55)Ollie Smith

Replacements

16 Fraser Brown (137)Matthews
17 Nathan McBeth (20)
18 Simon Berghan (29)
19 Richie Gray (97) Squaddie
20 Scott Cummings (101)Groot
21 Rory Darge (27)
22 Jamie Dobie (49)Hornito
23 Domingo Miotti (18)Jordan

Unavailable for selection: Sebastian Cancelliere (knee), Facundo Cordero (hamstring), Jack Dempsey (back), Sintu Manjezi (knee), Jack Mann (head), Josh McKay (foot), Enrique Pieretto (chest), Ross Thompson (foot), Sione Tuipulotu (shoulder).

Not really that many changes. Darge could be a starter. Miotti/Jordan; either could start, other to bench. Huipulou are probably the most definite "first team choice". Aldi Price has slipped down the pecking order and tonight will probably be playing for his place in the 23 for the semi and the play offs. The General seems to be very upfront about everyone in the squad has a role to play and players may be selected for certain matches because they fit how the opposition will play. Apparently the General has used 33 players in the matches since the 6 Nations ended: that's as Tombola as Toonie ever was.

Hazel Sapling wrote:Scarlets look to have several big names injuries in Kalamafoni, 1/2p, McNicholl, Scott Williams and JD2. The bench looks decent. Sebastian is decent, Blacker has good reviews, Patchell (when fit) is a decent playmaker with a massive boot and Aaron Shingler is old but has been a very good BS.

Don't know if a Scarlets fan can give us thoughts on the 23?

Not many of them are rested, but rather rotated. The starting halfbacks are pretty poor, you should target them.

Thanks for presenting that way Jimbopip. Might start with Darge, he's coming back from injury. Also Horne in place of Price. Otherwise think you've got the right team. Just know tonight's game will probably not be that good an indicator for the semi-final.

Very good start from Scarlets

They have had all the game so far and win a easy pen

3-0 Scarlets

The weather is really closing in rain and wind, it may not be the free flowing game we hoped for

Glasgow a bit better but still giving away penalties

Scarlets take advantage

6-0 Scarlets

Both lineouts all over the place but Glasgow have definitely got the advantage in the scrum, that might be important in these conditions

A lucky bounce off the post pads gives Glasgow a 5m scrum

Great defence from Scarlets and we go down the other end of the park

Glasgow slowly been gaining the upper hand in the set piece

Another pen leads to a 5m lineout and finally Vialanu drives over

6-5 Scarlets

Top marks to the Scarlets for battling for every inch. However Glasgow are the only ones who look like crossing the whitewash. Gray and Cummings could make a big difference. Also Darge for Batman.

it's a slugfest of a second half but the Glasgow maul is now working

Scarlets kicking their chances but Glasgow more brave and going for the try

12-9 Glasgow

Glasgow have been on top for the majority of the game but they are finally executing.

Can see us getting a bonus point the way things are going unless Scarlets can find a way to get some possession

Do0bie has looked far move effective than Price since he has come on!

Either try of the season or offside!

That was miles offside!

Lack of accuracy from Glasgow is killing us. This game should be dead and buried. Fifita deserves the try

And now a 5m lineout to Glasgow

I can't understand why Glasgow refuse to play territory in these conditions!

Well it was not pretty but it counts

12-9 Glasgow at FT

Glasgow get a home quarter final in the playoffs


I think the one thing we can be sure about is that this game will have no bearing on the Euro quarter final which will hopefully be played in much better weather in Wales!

A very poor performance, know rain was a factor but little care with the ball. Surprised at some of the decisions, take the points when in front of posts especially on a wet night with Brown throwing in. Won but won't want to rewatch

Is that what is called "one for the purists"? Grim game.

Two points;
Jordan should have been taking the ball deeper and kicking more.
Apparently in 220 appearances Batman has only copped 8 yellow cards. Beggars belief.

Hornito and House Elf sharing scrum half duties at Parc Y and Miotti at 10.

Glasgow played the conditions, which were absolutely awful a little better and had the better of the set piece.

They were also confident enough of their maul to go for the 5m plays rather thsn kick.

No quibbles about the result, but Scarlets showed they are a dangerous and tricky team to play. They will be very dangerous back in Llanelli in a couple of weeks time.

Still for now lets enjoy the win and the top 4 finish.

Not many saw that coming back in Treviso at the begining of the term!

Tell you what it's good the Scarlets try was (correctly) chalked off as there would be a number of red faced Glasgow players who let a 2nd row outpace them. Johnson in particular was looking like he was running through treacle and actually gave up.

Zander was a worthy MoM last night, he had a very good game. Got hooked early (by his standards) as well, looks like Franco trying to preserve some of our starters.

What we really needed last night was a controlling FH. Jordan showed his inexperience at this level by tsking on some very risky plays and not clearing the ball when he hsd thst option.

I guess we are unlikely to get westher thst bsd again this season, but certainly something to learn for the future.

A one score game is always a bit of a lottery in those conditions and we almost did manage to lose the game with that disallowed try!

Good win in the end and lucky to get away with the Fifita try. The lack of accuracy killed us but considering the conditions, I agree with others. We should have kicked a couple of penalties to give ourselves some comfort.

The result was fair though. Glasgow the better side; Scarlets took the points on offer and deserve a point. Both sides will look very different in two weeks times