Scarlets have welcomed the return of their international stars ahead of this weekend’s crucial European Rugby Champions Cup match against Uslter Rugby at the Kingspan Stadium.
The Saturday evening clash, between second and fourth placed teams in pool 3, is a must win for Scarlets to keep their quarterfinals campaign alive.
With two strong performances in the opening rounds, against reigning champions Toulon and English giants Leicester Tigers, Scarlets are positioned in second place only four points behind French outfit Toulon.
Ulster are yet to record a win in the campaign and will be looking to pick up all-important points in the back-to-back clashes against Scarlets over the next fortnight.
Scarlets Head Coach Wayne Pivac has made four changes, one positional, to the starting XV that outmuscled Leicester Tigers at Parc y Scarlets in the second round.
All Black centre Regan King makes a return to outside centre after a lengthy spell on the sidelines having made his return to action Connacht last weekend whilst Michael Tagicakibau returns to the wing.
In the pack Jake Ball returns to the second row having been a late casualty ahead of the last round and man of the moment James Davies replaces John Barclay on the openside flank.
Scarlets Head Coach Wayne Pivac said: “Great to have the Welsh boys back, especially after that win against South Africa. They’ve come back full of confidence.
“Ulster are a strong set piece side with a very good scrum and have one of the best defensive records in the domestic league.
“They’ll be a hard nut to crack away from home, having said that we’re going there sitting in second place. We’ll be going there with a view of putting our best foot forward and trying to get a result.
“They need to win or it’ll be all over for them. There’ll be a big crowd and we’ll be up against it but it’ll certainly a good challenge.
“We need to get our performance back up to where we were against Toulon and Tigers in the opening two rounds.”
Scarlets team to take on Ulster Rugby at Kingspan Stadium, Saturday 6th December, kick-off 7.45pm;
15 Liam Williams, 14 Harry Robinson, 13 Regan King, 12 Scott Williams ©, 11 Michael Tagicakibau, 10 Rhys Priestland, 9 Aled Davies, 1 Rob Evans, 2 Emyr Phillips, 3 Samson Lee, 4 Jake Ball, 5 Johan Snyman, 6 Aaron Shingler, 7 James Davies, 8 Rory Pitman
Replacements: Kirby Myhill, Phil John, Rhodri Jones, George Earle, Lewis Rawlins, Rhodri Williams, Steven Shingler, Gareth Owen
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