Angus O’Brien Aiming To Celebrate 50 Not Out Against Scarlets

Angus O'Brien will play his 50th match for the Dragons. Pic: Getty Images.

Angus O’Brien Aiming To Celebrate 50 Not Out Against Scarlets

Newport Gwent Dragons outside-half Angus O’Brien is looking forward to bringing up a half-century of appearances when his side take on Scarlets at Judgement Day.

The 22-year-old kicked 10 points in last season’s 34-20 Judgement Day IV loss to Wayne Pivac’s side but the youngster – capped at Wales Under-20 level – is relishing the opportunity to run out at the home of Welsh rugby for the second time.
He said: “Judgement Day is a great occasion, we aren’t used to playing in front of these sorts of crowds and some of the guys haven’t played here before, so coming out of the tunnel and seeing all the fans will be great.

“I haven’t really thought about it, but to bring up 50 appearances here is a good achievement. I am looking forward to getting out there and hopefully we can do the job.”

Kingsley Jones has made five changes to the team that lost to Zebre in Parma last weekend.

Adam Warren completes the back three with wing Adam Hughes and Carl Meyer at full-back. Charlie Davies starts at scrum-half due to injuries to Sarel Pretorius and Tavis Knoyle.

Sam Hobbs and Lloyd Fairbrother begins in the front-row, alongside Rhys Buckley who stays at hooker.

Matthew Screech partners Wales international Cory Hill in the second row with Nic Cudd joining Ollie Griffiths and captain Lewis Evans in the back-row.

Scarlets have named nine internationals in their XV to take on the Dragons.

Wales internationals Jonathan Davies and Liam Williams return to the team after sitting out the convincing 51-5 victory over Benetton Treviso last weekend.

It is a familiar, all Wales international front row consisting of Rob Evans, Ken Owens and Samson Lee.

Tadhg Beirne slots in at flanker for the injured Aaron Shingler alongside John Barclay and James Davies.

England Under-20 World Cup winner Tom Price fills in the engine room with Jake Ball.

Dan Jones gets the nod at 10 with Gareth Davies at scrum-half.

Wayne Pivac’s side have won eight of their last nine Pro12 matches which has put them in with a good chance of sealing a play-off berth.

And New Zealander Pivac says there will be a lot at stake when his team take on the Dragons in the second game on Saturday.

“We’re not going to underestimate them. They’re playing for the same reasons that we are; the big occasion, selectors will be there, there’s everything to play for.

“There are bragging rights up for grabs, it’s a derby. We’re expecting a ferocious 20 minutes to start with and we’re hoping we can come out on the right side.

“There’s a lot to play for and it starts with a good performance against the Dragons.”

 

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