Barclay to lead Scarlets in Guinness PRO12 clash

Scarlets will take on Zebre Rugby at Parc y Scarlets this Saturday evening as attentions return to the Guinness PRO12 after two rounds of European Cup action.

With both teams making a return to the Guinness PRO12 after emphatic victories in Europe last weekend it promises to be a thriller of a clash at the Parc.

Scarlets Head Coach Wayne Pivac has made eight changes to the side that was victorious against Leicester Tigers last week handing opportunities to some of the squad’s fresh faces.

John Barclay, the only positional change in the starting XV moves to number 8, will captain the side for the first time. The experienced Scotland international has put in stellar performances in the Scarlets jersey of late and has been unlucky to have missed out on selection for the Autumn internationals.

With eight senior Scarlets on international duty and a list of ten injured players Pivac has an opportunity to see what some of the region’s next generation have to offer. One of the region’s exciting young talent who comes into the starting XV is Wales Under 20s fullback Steff Evans.

Evans has 25 appearances under his belt for Llanelli RFC and has scored 13 tries since making his Principality Premiership debut in 2012-13.

Gareth Owen and George Earle return from injury and take over from Scott Williams and Richard Kelly respectively.

Steven Shingler, who kicked five points in Scarlets’ 15-3 victory last weekend, takes the flyhalf reigns whilst Kirby Myhill and James Davies move into the starting line-up from the replacements bench with Peter Edwards returning to the front row after appearances in the British & Irish Cup.

The Scarlets replacements bench has a blend of experience and youth as Phil John, Jacobie Adriaanse and Rory Pitman are joined by a number of the region’s next generation.

19 year old hooker Ryan Elias, made his regional debut against Saracens in the LV= Cup last November, Sion Bennett has featured in two of the region’s pre-season friendlies – against Bath in 2014-15 and London Welsh in 2013-14, outside half Josh Lewis has been solid with the boot for Llanelli RFC and Wales Under 20s captain Steffan Hughes will be looking to kick-on after making three appearances for the senior side last season.

Llanodvery scrum half Rhodri Davies will be hoping to make his regional debut. The Crymych product has played in four tournaments with Wales 7s and has made 19 appearance for the Drovers.

Scarlets v Zebre, Parc y Scarlets, Saturday 1st November kick-off 6pm:

15 Steffan Evans, 14 Harry Robinson, 13 Michael Tagicakibau, 12 Gareth Owen, 11 Kristian Phillips, 10 Steven Shingler, 9 Aled Davies, 1 Rob Evans, 2 Kirby Myhill, 3 Peter Edwards, 4 George Earle, 5 Johan Snyman, 6 Aaron Shingler, 7 James Davies, 8, John Barclay ©

Replacements: Ryan Elias, Phil John, Jacobie Adriaanse, Sion Bennett, Rory Pitman, Rhodri Davies, Josh Lewis, Steffan Hughes

Players unavailable for selection: Liam Williams, Scott Williams, Rhys Priestland, Emyr Phillips, Samson Lee, Rhodri Jones, Jake Ball, Rhodri Williams (international duty), Gareth Davies (knee), Kyle Evans (hand), Connor Lloyd (knee), Ken Owens (neck), Regan King (hamstring), Adam Warren (knee), Lewis Rawlins (hamstring), Richard Kelly (fractured arm), Jordan Williams (concussion), Rob McCusker (calf strain)