Ulster Rugby vs Llanelli Scarlets

PLAYERS TO WATCH

MORGAN ALLEN

OPPOSITION

Son of former Welsh international Andy Allen, the Newport born number eight has provided the Scarlets with the powerful ball carrying option that they had been craving. After recovering from a ruptured bicep, which kept him side-lined for ten games, Allen finally made his PRO12 debut with a brace of tries and has appeared for the West Wales region in every game since; making a telling impact from the back row. At 6’ 1” and weighing over 18 stone, the 25 year old has deceptive pace and is a difficult player to stop once he gets a full head of steam! Parkes was an innocuous signing for the Scarlets ahead of the 2014-15 season, but has since become one of the Scarlets’ most consistent and impressive players, regularly a candidate for Man of the Match and a receiver of the accolade on several occasions. The centre, recruited from the Super Rugby franchise, Eastern Province Kings, is uncompromising in defence and a potent attacking threat, often taking several defenders to bring the Kiwi down. Captaining the team today, Parkes is capable of playing in the centre or on the wing, possessing a reliable boot that gives the backline an addition kicking option. Canada’s stand-out performer in the Rugby World Cup, claiming tries in each of their pool games, the South African born flier is no stranger to the try line. The winger, who signed for the Scarlets from fellow PRO12 competitors Glasgow Warriors ahead of the 2015-16 season, has scored 6 tries in 9 appearances for the Welsh region and doesn’t show signs of stopping. A constant threat in the wider channels, van der Merwe is also regularly found hunting the ball off his wing as an additional strike runner for the Scarlets half-backs.

HADLEIGH PARKES

DTH VAN DER MERWE

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