Head Coach Dai Flanagan has called on his players to take the last chance to impress before the start of the new BKT United Rugby Championship season.
The Men of Gwent travel west to face Flanagan’s old side Scarlets on Friday night (kick-off 7pm) before the league kicks off in Edinburgh the following week.
Flanagan has been impressed by aspects of performances so far in pre-season and now wants players to get excited for the final opportunity to stake a claim.
“It's an opportunity for players to get game time and impress before Edinburgh,” he said.
“If we are honest, after the last two games we get where we are going for 75 per cent of the squad for Edinburgh.
“The boys have laid down a marker and now it's important that this team gets excited for their chance.
“Certain players need game time and others have really impressed and the big one is coming up,” he added.
“It's important that we start developing some depth because it's a long season and these boys will play in the league, so it's a first chance to impress.”
Wales international duo Taine Basham and Ben Carter return for the game at Parc y Scarlets and Flanagan is excited to see the impact the young star duo can make.
“Taine and Ben went to South Africa and didn't get game time so it's important that they get some rugby under their belts,” he said.
“The new signings have really impressed so it is important that they put their hands up and show they are ready for the league.
“The back row is an area that is wide open. The boys have really put their hands up in pre-season.
“Taine is a young man who needs to find some rhythm. He has been exposed to the highest level from a young age and it is important that he works hard to show he is developing his game.
“In the second row, we also have Joe Davies, George Nott, Will Rowlands, Sean Lonsdale and Huw Taylor has really impressed me with his rugby intelligence.
“Ben is a workhorse and the challenge for us is how to help in his development so that he is not the fourth-choice lock in a Wales squad but that he is first choice.”
The boys have laid down a marker and now it's important that this team gets excited for their chance... Certain players need game time and others have really impressed and the big one is coming up...
