Newport Gwent Dragons Vs Scarlets Live Rugby Betting Picks
Today Rugby Betting Picks Newport Gwent Dragons vs Scarlets Live Streaming/ Watch Scarlets vs Newport Gwent Dragons Live Streaming
Rugby Betting Picks Match: Newport Gwent Dragons v Scarlets
Date: December 31, 2009
Time: 14:05GMT
Competition: Magners League
Live/Repeat: Live
In Rugby Betting Picks Rising star Gareth Davies will start at scrum-half for the Scarlets when they visit Newport Gwent Dragons for the Magners League derby on New Year's Eve.
The 19-year-old replaces Martin Roberts in the No.9 jersey, with Tavis Knoyle still sidelined due to an ankle strain.
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Rob McCusker starts at flanker in place of player-coach Simon Easterby, who sustained a fractured finger during the Boxing Day clash with the Ospreys.
Centre Rob Higgitt and flanker Richie Pugh return to the bench, with the latter now fit after suffering a shoulder injury in the Heineken Cup fixture against Leinster.
Lee Williams has been brought onto the wing to replace Morgan Stoddart, who sustained a minor groin injury against the Ospreys last weekend.
The Scarlets have won their previous three games against Dragons and have been triumphant on four of their last five visits to Rodney Parade, but head coach Nigel Davies believes the side's 100 per cent Magners League home record this season makes them formidable opponents.
"It's another big game for us, the Dragons are playing a very expansive brand of rugby and getting on the right side of results," said Davies.
"They have had an excellent home record in the Magners this season, it will be tough to go there - particularly as we're carrying a small squad at the moment with eight of our front-liners now out through injury."
Meanwhile, second row Luke Charteris returns to the Dragon side for the first time since the beginning of the month when the regional hero was sidelined with a thigh injury.
The Dragons will no doubt be hoping his comeback can boost them to a win after a woeful thrashing by Cardiff Blues last weekend.
Hooker Tom Willis will retain captain duties, making his second start since returning from a calf injury, while Shaun Connor will start at number 10.
Dragons: 15 Jason Tovey, 14 Aled Brew, 13 Tom Riley, 12 Matthew Watkins, 11 Richard Fussell, 10 Shaun Connor, 9 Danny Lee, 1 Hugh Gustafson, 2 Tom Willis (c), 3 Pat Palmer, 4 Rob Sidoli, 5 Luke Charteris, 6 Hoani Macdonald, 7 Gavin Thomas, 8 Lewis Evans.
Replacements: 16 Steve Jones, 17 Ali McKenzie, 18 Adam Jones, 19 Grant Webb, 20 Martyn Thomas, 21 Will Harries, 22 Gareth Williams.
Scarlets: 15 Rhys Priestland, 14 Lee Williams, 13 Sean Lamont, 12 Jonathan Davies, 11 Andy Fenby, 10 Stephen Jones, 9 Gareth Davies, 1 Phil John, 2 Ken Owens, 3 Deacon Manu, 4 Lou Reed, 5 Dominic Day, 6 Rob McCusker, 7 Johnathan Edwards, 8 David Lyons (c).
Replacements: 16 Jamie Corsi, 17 Emyr Phillips, 18 Damian Welch, 19 Richie Pugh, 20 Daniel Evans, 21 Gareth Maule, 22 Rob Higgitt.
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by: Sports Betting Tips