Sio and Malan set for Cardiff debuts in Scarlets derby
Scott Sio and Le Roux Malan will make competitive Cardiff Rugby debuts against Scarlets in Saturday’s United Rugby Championship opener. The Welsh derby kicks off at Parc y Scarlets at 7.45pm on 26 September.
Derby team news
- Kick-off UK
- 26 September, 7.45pm
- Competitive debutants
- Sio and Malan
- Evans last Cardiff appearance
- 2023
Rugby team sheets
Cardiff Rugby
- 1Scott Sio
- 2Liam Belcher
- 3Javan Sebastian
- 4Josh McNally
- 5Teddy Williams
- 6Alex Mann
- 7Dan Thomas
- 8Taine Basham
- 9Johan Mulder
- 10Callum Sheedy
- 11Mason Grady
- 12Ben Thomas
- 13Le Roux Malan
- 14Jacob Beetham
- 15Cam Winnett
Replacements (8)
- 16Evan Lloyd
- 17Rhys Barratt
- 18Sam Wainwright
- 19Rory Thornton
- 20James Botham
- 21Ellis Bevan
- 22Jarrod Evans
- 23Harri Millard
Sio starts at loosehead alongside captain Liam Belcher and Javan Sebastian. Malan partners Ben Thomas in midfield, with Callum Sheedy and Johan Mulder continuing at half-back.
Winnett returns; Evans on the bench
Cam Winnett is back at full-back after illness. Jacob Beetham moves to the wing, with Mason Grady completing the back three. Josh McNally and Teddy Williams start at lock, ahead of a back row of Alex Mann, Dan Thomas and Taine Basham.
Jarrod Evans is among the replacements after returning from three seasons at Harlequins. An appearance would be his first for Cardiff since 2023. The bench includes six capped Wales internationals.
Head coach Corniel van Zyl expects another closely contested derby after both away sides won last season’s meetings. Cardiff’s confirmed starting side and replacements accompany this report.