Scarlets tipped to mark return with upset win

LEX Cuthbert has backed the Scarlets to hit the ground running with a win against Bristol Bears as they return to Investec Champions Cup rugby for the first time in three years.

- PAUL EDDISON

Having reached the semifinals of the competition back in 2018, the Scarlets have struggled more recently, competing in the Challenge Cup for each of the past three seasons.

But after an impressive domestic campaign last term, they are back in the top competition and open their account at home to free-scoring Bears. And while Pat Lam's team currently sit fifth in the Gallagher PREM, averaging more than 30 points a game, Cuthbert believes that they can be vulnerable defensively, as they travel to a Scarlets team which gained some confidence from an impressive 23-0 win over Glasgow Warriors last weekend.

“The Scarlets had an unbelievable result at the weekend,” said Cuthbert, who will be at Parc y Scarlets with the Premier Sports team for live coverage of the match today (Premier Sports 2 from 7.40pm). ‘The likes of Max Douglas coming back, Jake Ball, Sam Lousi, they have a good 15-23 players. But with the squad depth in Wales, it’s tough. You cannot play those boys every single week, that is the non-luxury they have compared to some of the other teams with squad depth.