Swansea determined to claim retribution after cup defeat
SWANSEA have a score to settle in their second successive match against Carmarthen Quins, according to team manager Ian Hopkins.
The Whites were thumped 41-17 in the British & Irish Cup by Carmarthen last week and will have revenge in mind when the two clash in the Principality Premiership action at St Helen's tomorrow (2.30pm).
-
Swansea’s Jake Cole flicks the ball back as he’s collared by Quins’ Gavin Evans. Dave Dow 'Dragon Tales Rugby'
Carmarthen were out of sight by the interval as they scored four first-half tries to wrap up a bonus point.
"We have a point to prove, Carmarthen Quins should not be sticking 40 points on us," said Hopkins.
Business Cards From Only £10.95 Delivered www.myprint-247.co.uk
View detailsOur heavyweight cards have FREE UV silk coating, FREE next day delivery & VAT included. Choose from 1000's of pre-designed templates or upload your own artwork. Orders dispatched within 24hrs.
Terms: Visit our site for more products: Business Cards, Compliment Slips, Letterheads, Leaflets, Postcards, Posters & much more. All items are free next day delivery. www.myprint-247.co.uk
Contact: 01858 468192
Valid until: Friday, May 31 2013
"We've worked hard in training on what we thought went wrong.
"Last Friday was disappointing because performances had been getting better even if results hadn't, aside from a heavy win against Dundee.
"We were hoping to kick on, but the performance was not what was required.
"Defensive errors were key to our downfall."
The Whites will wait before deciding who will start at right wing in place of Richard Williams who has a thigh strain.
"The Quins have got a robust pack and strong centres, they attacked the 10-12 channel and we were found wanting," added Hopkins.
"In the end, they wanted it more than we did.
"But playing at home should be conducive to an open game.
"There is more width at St Helen's and that should suit us."
The Quins make five changes to the side that thumped Swansea with Darren Daniel, Alex Pickersgill, Carwyn Jones, Gareth Thomas and former Swansea No. 9 Rhodri Wells all coming into the starting line up.
Prop Kevin Jones (back), wing Tom Rees (foot), No. 8 Rory Gallagher (knee), and flanker Andrew Thomas (illness) are all unavailable.
"Carmarthen Quins have always found St Helen's a difficult place to go, but confidence is high and we are expecting a tough game on the back of our win last week," said Quins team manager Steffan Thomas.
"Swansea will be hurting and eager for the opportunity to put things right and we will have to take another step up if we are to get the win we are searching for.
"Young Jack Maynard, who celebrated his 18th birthday by scoring 21 points last week, keeps his place in the team and we are looking forward to welcoming back Rhodri Wells, with all his experience, for what should be a great game between two good rugby teams."
Thomas insists last week's win at The Park will have no bearing on this game, with league points again at stake.
Swansea are joint bottom of the table with Aberavon, while the Quins sit seventh.
"It's a clean slate, we realise that. Combinations and teams will change," added Thomas.
"It will be a different challenge, they'll be the home team and we'll be the away team.
"It's nice to play some good rugby. We took a lot from our performance against Cornish Pirates and we'll take even more from our last game."
Swansea: N. Thomas; A. N. Other, A. Jenkins, N. Harwood, R. Williams; C. Clement, J. Preddy; A. Mason, A. Littlehales, I. Williams, B. Fox J. Barley, R. Dudley-Jones, S. Jones, J. Bija. Reps: S. Otten, M. Norman, S. Williams, J. McKenna, A. Lewis, B. Roberts, J. Cole.
Carmarthen Quins: D. Daniel; L. Williams, A. Pickersgill, A. Banfield, J. Harries; J. Maynard, R. Wells; G. Thomas, R. Wilkes, T. Davies, C. Jones, H. Pugh, A. Laxton, L. Joseph, J. Davies. Reps: G. Robinson, A. Beaujean, G. Evans, E. Lloyd, C. Lloyd, J. Dixon, R. Thomas.
Comments