The Scarlets hand talented youngster Joe Roberts a start in their United Rugby Championship clash with the Dragons in Llanelli on Saturday (7.35pm).
At 21, the Coleg Sir Gar product is considered a player with a significant future, with the centre performing strongly in his only previous appearance in a run-on Scarlets side in the league, against Zebre last month, and making an impact off the bench against Cardiff last Saturday. One of his interventions at the Arms Park startled former Ospreys coach Sean Holley from a TV commentary box. With the Scarlets 28-14 ahead well into the final quarter, Jonathan Davies kicked ahead from near his own line.
As Matthew Morgan went to gather on the home 22, he was engulfed by Roberts, who had fairly blown upfield in pursuit of the clearance. “My goodness!” said Holley. “The pace on Joe Roberts. The kick goes downfield…look at him — he’s like a steam train going down the touchline.”
