Saracens
Scarlets v Saracens Pre-Season Friendly Preview
Last time out
By saracensfan62
September 13 2026
Right then. Down the M4 we go. It’s a Friday night under the Parc y Scarlets lights and I cannot wait. I viewed the Scarlets ticket/hotel packaged offered from the SSA and decided that it could be quite good fun to do. An unbeatable offer indeed, what with a hotel stay included and full welsh breakfast on the Saturday. Just the ticket after an evening of plenty of good rugby (hopefully) and beer (definitely). I should note that this is only the 4th time in 10 years we've encountered Scarlets in all fixtures (competitive or friendly) with the last time being 2 years ago, as pictured in the head image when we defeated Scarlets 40-21 at the StoneX in a pre season friendly. My thanks to David Loxham for the wonderful image of that outing. The precious time it was another mid season friendly at the StoneX in 2023 (another win) and then the time before was the last competitive fixture, a 22-22 draw in the European Cup when the likes of Chris Ashton was still a saracen (you can see Aled Davies who was quite a handy 9 for us if you look closely at the next picture).
After a resounding victory away to Ampthill (featuring a now 35 year old Baz Barrington, and some other familiar names like Luke Davidson and Barney Merrett (who I assume is still dual contracted?), we can take much confidence into the final one of 3 pre season friendlies. Perhaps the toughest one of the lot, this game is against Scarlets in Llaneli. We are rapidly approaching the start of the new premiership (I still cannot bring myself to say Prem) season with Brendan Venter back at the helm and it appears to have generated a different energy at the club. Even just from the soliotary cup game and the other pre season fixtures, we seem to have more of that fight and wolfpack nature back compared to the last couple of seasons. Always great to see.
On the other side of the border Scarlets are undergoing significant changes to the structure of their club. Nigel Davies has been confirmed in on a 2 year deal, taking over a club that finished 14th in the URC last season, managing just four wins and losing all four pool matches in the Champions Cup thus consigning them to the Challenge Cup this year. This was a common trend with Welsh teams – ¾ finished in the bottom half of the URC (Ospreys 11th, Scarlets 14th and Dragons 15th). Only Cardiff made it into the top half in 6th position. This downfall is saddening. Nonetheless, Scarlets have had a reasonable transfer window, more players in than out including Corey Domachowski and Gareth Anscombe both coming in who’ll boost the clubs results for sure. Scarlets under Nigel Davies will want to play with far more structure and ambition than the side that limped to 14th last year. Dwayne Peel's Scarlets played attractive, fun-to-watch rugby at times in previous years but were desperately inconsistent and lost numerous games more because of poor game management in the final 15-20 minutes and a lack of cool heads rather than lack of talent so to speak. Davies has spoken publicly about a clear vision and an aligned coaching team. Gareth Anscombe brings the tactical kicking game that Scarlets have sometimes lacked. Look for them to use the boot more intelligently to build field position, and then release their exciting young set of backs to cause havoc in the latter stages of the game. Scarlets have so much raw talent but they have to be mindful of the threats other teams pose and adapt to them accordingly.
Sarries are already making intent crystal clear in pre-season, resounding victories including a delightful hammering of Northampton in the Cup implying there may be a few surprises in the team to face Leicester when the Premiership starts in 2 weeks or so time. I expect the emphasis for the Scarlets game will be on tempo, direct carrying and quick ball. Most of these Tomos Williams embodies perfectly and I can see a more likely lineup for this match to the one we’ll play vs Tigers. This one is a pre-season friendly so obviously I'm not getting too carried away in the predicted team analysis, but this game genuinely has some intrigue. I’m not just saying that because I can, Scarlets are a team with a point to prove under new management, at home, in front of their own supporters and will want to show themselves off against a well-known team such as Sarries.
I expect the good Dr Venter will do as he did against pirates and ampthill – rotate regularly and give everyone some game time rather than chasing the result, although Scarlets are likely going to be tougher opposition and will require careful management and subs as the game progresses . As I mentioned I expect us to move towards the expected starting XV for Premiership, but what that could look like is still up for debate. Fraser Rawlins or Tobias Elliott? Olamide Sodeke or Hugh Tizard? Tayo Adegbemile or Nick Isiekwe? We are blessed with so much talent and yet this brings tricky selection decisions. There’s always a double edge to the proverbial team selection sword.
This will be a fun friendly to watch and, result depending, a report which will I will enjoy writing up too. All that’s left to say is come on you Sarries, and see some of you in Llaneli on Friday night. Photo credit - David W Loxham of the SSA.
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Let me know if there;s still issues.
So far Earl, Mawi and Martin have been conspicuous by their absence. Would be great to see them on Friday.
Barney Merrett has signed for Ampthill permanently as of this season.
No JMG? Not enough gas in the tank yet?
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