SCARLETS AIM TO GET BACK TO WINNING WAYS ON ITALIAN SOIL

The Scarlets travel to Treviso this weekend for their fifth game in the RaboDirect PRO12 league competition with a focus on bringing back some trademark attacking Scarlets rugby.

Treviso have lost their last eight games against Welsh sides in all competitions but will be boosted by their first victory away from home last weekend against Glasgow.

The Scarlets have beaten Treviso in their last three outings but slipped up in September 2010 in this weekend’s equivalent fixture last season at Stadio Monigo.

The Scarlets have made six changes to their starting line-up with Aled Thomas being handed the 10 jersey for the Italian encounter and Dan Newton switching to full-back. Young winger Liam Williams gets another start and Richie Pugh joins the back row for injured Josh Turnbull.

Scarlets Head Coach Nigel Davies said: “We were frustrated with last weekend mainly because of the performance, it was wet and the conditions were difficult but we need to play rugby and we’ve told the players to go out there and play and put some width on the game and start enjoying themselves.

“The conditions may have made us more conservative, but I don’t want to see us shying away from playing our game, we need to start playing like we were at the end of last season. We know there is some inexperience with younger players behind the scrum but we’ve told them they must step up. They are learning and getting better.

“Our defense has stepped up a couple of levels since last year and our pack of forwards are building a mentality that our set piece is key and has to function. We’ve freshened things up a little with this selection and there are a couple of new combinations for this game.”

Davies said they knew from last season the challenge that Treviso present as a physical team that is improving its level of performance. He said: “They have a competent game and discipline will be key up front. The emphasis for us is to play our brand of rugby, they are a good team and competitive but we mustn’t be afraid to play.”

Scarlets team against Treviso, Saturday 1st October 3pm kick off Stadio Monigo: 15 Dan Newton, 14 Lee Williams, 13 Nick Reynolds, 12 Gareth Maule, 11 Liam Williams, 10 Aled Thomas, 9 Ruki Tipuna. 1 Iestyn Thomas (capt), 2 Emyr Phillips, 3 Rhys Thomas, 4 Lou Reed, 5 Damian Welch, 6 Rob McCusker, 7 Richie Pugh, 8 Ben Morgan.

Replacements: Craig Hawkins, Phil John, Rhodri Jones, Craig Price, Johnathan Edwards, Gareth Davies, Adam Warren, Dale Ford.

Not available for selection through injury: Daniel Evans, full back (broken finger), Andy Fenby, wing (achilles strain), Dom Day, second row (calf strain) and Aaron Shingler, second row (toe strain), Josh Turnbull, second row (shoulder injury).