With Dragons and Blues scalps already tucked away from the opening two rounds, the pacesetters are aiming to make it three in a row.
“We’re in a great position after the first two rounds, but we’re in no way underestimating the challenge we are facing in Swansea on Sunday,” said Scarlets head coach, Daryl Morgan.
“The Ospreys will be smarting after their reversal against the Dragons in round two and we’re expecting a backlash from a very talented squad. That said we’ve prepared really well and are more than ready to meet the challenge.
“Our sole focus is on our own game and maintaining the upward curve in performance we have demonstrated thus far. Sunday has the right ingredients to be a cracking game, and a positive showcase for women’s regional rugby,” he concluded.
Swansea head coach Jonathan Hawker, has selected his team from a near full-strength squad and is expecting a stern challenge.
“Coming off the back of a disappointing loss to the Dragons in Round 2, we are looking forward to facing our local rivals. This with the added excitement of playing our first game at our new home at St Helens, we will be looking to get off to the perfect start.
“While there were lots of positives to come out of the last round, we have identified areas of our game that need to develop and hopefully we will see that continued improvement in Round 3.
“It’s going to be a very stern challenge against a very strong unbeaten Scarlets team, but one we relish with two teams that play a very similar style of promoting the ball and play a fast open brand of rugby.”
In the other game, Newport Gwent Dragons host Cardiff Blues at Ystrad Mynach.
“We’re excited to welcome the Blues on Sunday,” said Dragons coach Gwesyn Price-Jones.
“We’ve had two really good performances against the Scarlets and Ospreys and will be looking to build upon them.
“The girls have been itching to get back into the jersey since the victory over the Ospreys, selection is going to be tough with players putting their hands up in training and club games to be involved.
“It’s great to be able to welcome Eve Jones back to the squad after injury and being able to include our U18 product India Berbillion for the first time, is a real positive for our programme.”
Scarlets Ladies v Ospreys
Sunday October 23rd; St Helens, Swansea, KO 2pm
Scarlets: 15 Dyddgu Hywel (vc) 14 Jess Kavanagh Williams 13 Steph Harries 12 Jodie Evans 11 Jasmine Joyce 10 Hannah Jones 9 Ffion Lewis; 1 Caryl Thomas 2 Morfudd Ifans 3 Emma Edwards 4 Jenny Hawkins 5 Elin Hywel 6 Alisha Butchers 7 Nia Elen Davies 8 Sioned Harries (Capt)
Replacements: 16 Lowri Harries 17 Gwenllian Prys 18 Brea Leung 19 Ffion Jones 20 Natalie Walsh 21 Elen Evans 22 Jami Davies 23 Angharad de Smet
Ospreys: 15 Rosie Fletcher 14 Ffion Bowen 13 Adi Taviner (Capt) 12 Kerin Lake 11 Alecs Donovan 10 Robyn Wilkins 9 Keira Bevan; 1 Cara Mai Hope 2 Carys Phillips 3 Amy Evans 4 Amy Thomas 5 Charlie Mundy 6 Siwan Lillicrap 7 Kelsey Jones 8 Shona Powell-Hughes
Replacements: 16 Lucy Jones 17 Tara Finnegan 18 Emily Underwood 19 Mel Clay 20 Robyn Lock 21 Susannah Waters 22 Elli Norkett 23 Angharad Jones
Dragons Ladies v Cardiff Blues
Sunday October 23rd; Ystrad Mynach, KO 2.30pm
Dragons: 15 Amberley Ruck 14 Bethan Dainton 13 Gemma Rowland 12 Rebecca De Filippo 11 Charlie Murray 10 India Berbillion 9 Sian Moore: 1 Cerys Hale (Capt) 2 Lauren Tracey 3 Meg York 4 Keighlee Williams 5 Rebecca Rowe 6 Kelly Watkins 7 Sian Williams 8 Kim Boaler
Replacements: 16 Eve Jones 17 Jodie Williams 18 Kate Hallett 19 Sarah Harper 20 Ceri Bailey 21 Amy Day 22 Robyn Harris 23 Leah Price
Cardiff Blues: 15 Raf Taylor 14 Jade Mullen 13 Megan O’Sullivan 12 Claire Morgan 11 Lowri Truslove 10 Abbie Taylor 9 Rhi Parker; 1 Lily Snape 2 Kim Jones 3 Nia Jones 4 Louise Cox 5 Ffion Evans 6 Awen Prysor 7 Megan Oaten 8 Abbie Fleming
Replacements: 16 Kirsty Elliot 17 Beth Stafford 18 Sophie Waugh 19 Sam Gallea 20 Katie Jenkins 21 Jess Pritchard 22 Carrie Roberts 23 Emily Kichen
