News
Sam Lousi returns for Judgement Day finale
TONGA international Sam Lousi returns from injury for Saturday’s Judgement Day clash with Dragons RFC at the Cardiff City Stadium
Lousi has recovered from a rib issue and is one of two changes to the Scarlets starting line-up for the BKT United Rugby Championship round 18 tie.
Lousi replaces Morgan Jones in the second row, while Sam Costelow swaps with Ioan Lloyd at fly-half.
The rest of the side is the same as the one that claimed a bonus-point victory over Zebre in Parma.
That means the back three of Ioan Nicholas, Tomi Lewis and Ryan Conbeer remains intact and Johnny Williams and Eddie James continue their midfield partnership. Costelow partners fellow international half-back Gareth Davies.
Another Wales international, loose-head prop Kemsley Mathias, will make his 50th Scarlets appearance and he again packs down with captain Ryan Elias and Harri O’Connor.
Lousi links up with Alex Craig, the Scarlets’ Players’ Player of the Season, in the second row and in the back row it’s Taine Plumtree, Dan Davis and No. 8 Carwyn Tuipulotu.
Morgan Jones drops to the bench, as does Lloyd, while there’s another opportunity for Wales U20s talent Macs Page, who made his URC debut in Parma.
Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel said: “It is an important game for us. Results have not been on our side this year but we are determined to finish the season strongly. It should be a good occasion. I have been at the stadium for Wales football matches and the atmosphere is electric. It’s important for Welsh rugby and us as four professional clubs that we make it a good day.”
Scarlets team to play Dragons RFC at Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday, June 1 (15:00; S4C)
15 Ioan Nicholas; 14 Tomi Lewis, 13 Johnny Williams, 12 Eddie James, 11 Ryan Conbeer; 10 Sam Costelow, 9 Gareth Davies; 1 Kemsley Mathias, 2 Ryan Elias (capt), 3 Harri O’Connor, 4 Alex Craig, 5 Sam Lousi, 6 Taine Plumtree, 7 Dan Davis, 8 Carwyn Tuipulotu.
Reps: 16 Shaun Evans, 17 Wyn Jones, 18 Sam Wainwright, 19 Morgan Jones, 20 Jarrod Taylor, 21 Kieran Hardy, 22 Ioan Lloyd, 23 Macs Page
Players unavailable because of injury
Tom Rogers, Vaea Fifita, Steff Evans, Joe Roberts, Josh Macleod, Teddy Leatherbarrow, Jac Davies.
Community
Tractor run lights up Pembrokeshire and raises funds for charity
THE PEMBROKESHIRE ILLUMINATED TRACTOR RUN took place today (Dec 21), raising funds for two vital charities: the Catrin Vaughan Foundation and Wales Air Ambulance.
Starting at Clarbeston Road AFC at 6:00pm, the brightly lit convoy of nearly 200 tractors made its way through Withybush Hospital and Haverfordwest High Street before finishing at the Pembrokeshire County Showground.
The annual event has become a highlight of the festive calendar, drawing large crowds to witness the spectacle of tractors adorned with colourful lights and decorations.
Funds raised from the event will support the Catrin Vaughan Foundation, which provides crucial assistance to families facing hardship, and the Wales Air Ambulance, delivering life-saving emergency medical care across the region.
Organisers praised the dedication of local farmers and volunteers, whose commitment ensures the event’s continued success year after year.
(Image: Nia Marshall/Facebook)
Business
Ferry Terminal ‘extremely busy’ due to ongoing Holyhead closure
PEMBROKE DOCK Ferry Terminal has been experiencing significant congestion today as ferry services remain under immense pressure following the closure of Holyhead Port earlier this month.
The disruption, caused by storm damage, has rerouted ferry traffic through Pembrokeshire, leading to long queues and crowded facilities at the terminal.
The Herald can confirm that it has been very busy today with cars, lorries, and foot passengers queuing in large numbers. Staff are working tirelessly to manage the influx, directing vehicles and assisting passengers as they prepare to board the heavily booked ferries.
A spokesperson for the Port of Milford Haven said: “We are working closely with ferry operators and local authorities to ensure traffic flows as smoothly as possible, but the sheer volume of vehicles is causing unavoidable delays.”
Travelers are being urged to arrive early for their sailings and to remain patient as the terminal operates at full capacity.
Both Stena Line and Irish Ferries have increased capacity on their Pembrokeshire routes, deploying larger vessels, including the Stena Adventurer and the MV James Joyce, to handle the surge in demand.
From our position at the terminal, our photographer has captured photos showing long lines of vehicles, groups of foot passengers carrying luggage, and port staff coordinating efforts to ease congestion.
Authorities are advising non-essential travelers to consider rescheduling their journeys where possible and to monitor updates from ferry operators closely.
(Photos: Martin Cavaney/Herald)
Community
Festive celebrations at St Davids Cathedral this weekend
ST DAVIDS Cathedral is set to host two special events on Sunday (Dec 22), offering a blend of joyful participation and traditional carol singing to mark the Christmas season.
In the morning, families are invited to the Scratch Nativity at 11:00am. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed as wise men, angels, sheep, or shepherds and take part in an unrehearsed retelling of the Christmas story. Canon Leigh described the event as: “Complete, wonderful chaos for an hour… but with some poignant, thought-provoking moments to centre ourselves on the real meaning of Christmas.”
Later in the evening, the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols by Candlelight will take place at 7:00pm, featuring the Cathedral Choir. The event, steeped in tradition, will see the cathedral bathed in candlelight as carols and scripture readings fill the historic space.
Doors will open at 5:45pm for those seeking unreserved seating, and a large turnout is expected for this beloved Christmas celebration.
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