Scarlets to 'rip into' Stormers after travel nightmare

Scarlets aim to take their opening weekend frustration out on Stormers on Friday after travel chaos denied them the chance to respond at Connacht.

Dwayne Peel's squad started the United Rugby Championship (URC) with a 34-21 loss to Munster in Llanelli and were scheduled play in Galway in round two last Saturday afternoon.

However, their Friday morning flight from Bristol was unable to land in Dublin because of Storm Amy and they were diverted to Manchester.

The squad were stuck on the runway in the north west of England for almost nine hours and the game against Connacht was postponed late on Friday night.

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Head coach Peel is confident that their travel nightmare will not impact their performance against Stormers.

"It was a long day for everyone, and a long morning because we got back home around 6.30 to 7am on Saturday," he said.

"It was disappointing from a rugby perspective not to get over and play the game, but it was not great preparation the day before to be stuck on a flight for that long.

"Fortunately for us it was a Friday so we had Saturday and Sunday to recover. The boys came in on Monday in good spirits considering and have trained well for what is a big game."

Edinburgh's game against Ulster was also a victim of the weather due to safety concerns, while Cardiff versus Ebbw Vale in Super Rygbi Cymru was postponed due to wind damaging the posts at the Arms Park.

Scarlets were outplayed by Munster in round one and must up their game to face a Stormer side who have beaten Leinster and Ospreys in Cape Town.

"We were revved up and excited to right some wrongs from Munster," said Wales centre Johnny Williams, who was set to captain the side for the first time.

"We didn't get that opportunity and it was far from ideal what happened, but it means that we are fresh from having no game. We are ready to rip into Stormers."

Scarlets are boosted by the return of Wales fly-half Sam Costelow after a head injury while hooker Marnus van der Merwe is back from helping South Africa win the Rugby Championship.

A new date for the trip to Connacht is yet to be confirmed.