Scarlets have named 22-year-old Tom Allen for his debut against Vodacom Bulls, adding a fresh second-row option as Nigel Davies makes six personnel changes for the final match of the South Africa tour.
The BKT United Rugby Championship clash takes place at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday at 15:00 UK time, with Scarlets looking to build on the encouragement they took from last weekend’s six-try performance against DHL Stormers in Cape Town. That result showed what this side can do when it plays with confidence and moves the ball into space, but Davies has made clear that there is still a demand for greater consistency and better game management against a Bulls team that can put any opponent under pressure at Loftus.
Tom Allen gets his chance
Davies said Allen has settled into the group well since joining the squad in South Africa, describing him as a powerful, athletic second row with qualities that bring something different to the pack. He also pointed to the work Allen has done in training, which has convinced the coaching staff that this is the right moment to give him a first URC start.
For Scarlets, that is a notable selection call at the end of a demanding tour. A debut in South Africa, against the physical challenge of the Bulls, is not a soft introduction. It is the kind of match that quickly shows whether a player can cope with the intensity and pace of the competition.
First URC starts for Isaac and Gabe
Davies was also pleased to hand first URC starts to Isaac and Gabe, saying both have worked hard since the start of pre-season and have embraced the standards being set inside the squad. That matters on a week when Scarlets have had to adjust again, with Joe Hawkins heading home to link up with the Wales squad and Taine Plumtree among eight Scarlets in the Wales autumn squad.
Jac Davies has also flown out to South Africa this week, while Scarlets now turn to the challenge of finishing the tour in the right way. The message from Davies is straightforward: match the Bulls physically, stay intelligent in how the game is managed and make good decisions under pressure.
A final test for the tour
The Bulls will offer a very different problem from the Stormers. Scarlets were encouraged by the way they attacked last weekend, but Loftus Versfeld is a place where lapses are punished quickly and where control is just as important as ambition.
That is why this selection is about more than just giving a youngster a debut. It is also about whether Scarlets can carry the confidence from Cape Town into a tougher examination and finish their South Africa tour with another step forward as a group.
