Anglo-Welsh Cup
Scarlets v Bristol
Scrum.com
October 22, 2008
Scarlets flanker Simon Easterby pictured during the Anglo-Welsh Cup clash with Harlequins, October 1 2006.
Simon Easterby will captain the Scarlets in their final match at Stradey Park © Getty Images
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Tournaments/Tours: Anglo-Welsh Cup

The Scarlets host Bristol in the second round of the Anglo-Welsh Cup on Friday in what will be the final game at the famous Stradey Park.

It will be an emotional evening for rugby fans as the Scarlets bid farewell to Stradey after 129 years before relocating to the custom built Parc y Scarlets in Llanelli. Scarlets only win in their last five outings in all competitions was 26-17 at home to Saracens in the 1st round of this season's Anglo-Welsh Cup.

Bristol Rugby's 39-11 victory at home to Toulon in the European Challenge Cup last weekend ended an unwanted run of 13 straight defeats in all competitions. Bristol have not won away from home since their 28-8 victory at Newcastle in the Premiership on 16 March, whilst their last win in Wales was 29-21 over Neath at the Gnoll in the Anglo-Welsh Cup on 10 September 1996.

Since Scarlets became a region in 2003 the two sides have met just once before, with Bristol taking the spoils 18-11 at Memorial Stadium in the 1st round of last season's Anglo-Welsh Cup.

Richard Hill unveils a new look Bristol side as his team travel to West Wales to take on the Scarlets on Friday evening with only Lee Robinson retained from the team that started against Toulon last week.

In the backs, Anthony Elliott will make his first start of the season at full back and Mat Turner, who made his debut in this competition against Northampton on October 4th, returns on the left wing.

Up front, Darren Crompton makes his first start of the season after successfully coming through a 20 minute replacement appearance against Toulon at the Memorial Stadium and Matt Salter returns on the flank to skipper the side.

Hill acknowledged when he named his team that the excellent performance and victory over Toulon was a real boost. "The spirit in the camp has been excellent despite a run of defeats but the win against Toulon really helped to lift everyone. There were a few more smiles on Monday!

"I've made some changes because we genuinely have great competition for places across the side and I want to see what a number of players can do in a game situation. We're looking to build on the winning performance against Toulon, trying to produce the same end product and see individuals staking a claim for a regular spot."

He also admitted to looking forward to Friday night's game but that Stradey Park would be missed, "It's always a shame to see a real, old fashioned ground go. There is huge tradition and a lot of history there. I think Bristol are lucky to be involved but we're a suitable opponent because we share many of the same values as the Scarlets - history, tradition, culture, involvement with the community etc.

"You can't get a ticket for love nor money. There will be people on the roofs and on the floodlight pylons. It'll be some occasion and we're looking forward to being involved."

Scarlets: Morgan Stoddart, Rob Higgitt, Regan King, Gavin Evans, Mark Jones, Stephen Jones, Sililo Martens, Iestyn Thomas, Ken Owens, Kees Meeuws, Vernon Cooper, Dominic Day, Nathan Thomas, Simon Easterby (c), David Lyons

Replacements: Phil John, Matthew Rees, Dafydd Jones, Johnathan Edwards, Martin Roberts, Ceiron Thomas, Jon Davies

Bristol: Anthony Elliott; Lee Robinson, Luke Eves, Junior Fatialofa, Mat Turner; Chris Ashwin, Haydn Thomas; Mark Irish, Scott Linklater, Darren Crompton; Mariano Sambucetti, Robert Sidoli; Matt Salter (capt), Redford Pennycook, Andrew Blowers

Replacements: David Blaney, Peter Bracken, Dave Attwood, Chevvy Pennycook, Sam Alford, Kevin Maggs, Greg Barden

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