Tadhg Beirne moves to number eight as Scarlets name team to face Leinster

Jack O'Toole

Munster bound second-row Tadhg Beirne will start at number eight for the Scarlet’s PRO14 final against Leinster on Saturday.

Beirne moves to the back of the scrum to replace injured captain John Barclay who was ruled out for the final with his Achilles tendon injury last week.

Lewis Rawlins will now join Steven Cummins in the second-row while Beirne will anchor a new look backrow alongside James Davies and Aaron Shingler.

Elsewhere Wales full-back Leigh Halfpenny has recovered from a hamstring injury to start at full-back while Johnny McNicholl, who made a return from injury for last weekend’s semi-final win over Glasgow, moves to the wing with Tom Prydie moving to the replacements bench.

Scarlets coach Wayne Pivac said that Leinster deserved to win the Champions Cup this season and that if his side want to retain their title from last season they must be able to go to Dublin and beat the best.

“They’re a very good side,” said Pivac.

“We only have to look back to our semi final where we were completely outplayed. They’ve gone on to win the big prize and be crowned Euro champions, and deservedly so.

“To back that up against a good Munster team, not an easy task a week later after celebrations and euphoria of winning it, was to me a testament to how strong that squad is, they’ll be better this weekend with some guys freshened up.

“We’re expecting a massive game. It’s a massive challenge for us but I think it’s a great game, last year’s PRO12 champions up against this year’s European champions. If you want to win it you want to do so against the best.”