Williams returns to lead Scarlets in huge New Year clash

The Scarlets will take on Ospreys at Parc y Scarlets on Saturday 3rd January in the second leg of the back-to-back derby fixtures looking to kick-off their 2015 Guinness PRO12 campaign with a win.

Following on from a narrow defeat to the Ospreys last Saturday the Scarlets will be looking to get their PRO12 campaign back on track and continue with the momentous unbeaten home run in the competition in 2014.

Head Coach Wayne Pivac makes six changes, one positional, to the side that came so close to victory at the Liberty Stadium last weekend.

Centre Scott Williams returns to captain the side with Hadleigh Parkes moving from centre to wing. Michael Tagicakibau also makes a return and will join Parkes and fullback Liam Williams, who last week committed his future to the Scarlets with a new contract, in the back three.

The 2013 Wales Junior World Championship finalist front row of Rob Evans, Kirby Myhill and Samson Lee are reunited in regional colours with Myhill replacing the injured Emyr Phillips who is undergoing surgery on a dislocated shoulder today.

Johan Snyman joins Jake Ball in the second row with Rob McCusker joining Aaron Shingler and John Barclay in the backrow.

Scrum half Gareth Davies, and last season’s top try scorer in the Guinness PRO12, makes a return to the bench after a long spell on the sideline after suffering a knee injury in the Welsh derby against Dragons at Parc y Scarlets back in October.

Speaking ahead of the big derby clash head coach Wayne Pivac said: “We wanted to build a fortress at home and we’ve continued with the good form at home that Simon had handed over and we’ve remained unbeaten at home.

“The boys love playing at home. A supportive home crowd is worth a good few points to us.

“It’s a big game, a big challenge for us but certainly we haven’t lost focus on the fact we need to get a win.

“All games are important but winning the games at home are a priority and getting maximum points from them.”

Scarlets team to take on Ospreys at Parc y Scarlets, Saturday 3rd January kick-off 5.05pm;

15 Liam Williams, 14 Hadleigh Parkes, 13 Regan King, 12 Scott Williams ©, 11 Michael Tagicakibau, 10 Rhys Priestland, 9 Aled Davies, 1 Rob Evans, 2 Kirby Myhill, 3 Samson Lee, 4 Jake Ball, 5 Johan Snyman, 6 Aaron Shingler, 7 John Barclay, 8 Rob McCusker

Replacements: Ryan Elias, Wyn Jones, Rhodri Jones, George Earle, Will Boyde, Steven Shingler, Jordan Williams

Players unavailable for selection: Connor Lloyd (knee), Ken Owens (neck), Richard Kelly (arm), Phil John (knee), Harry Robinson (groin), Kristian Phillips (suspension), Steffan Evans (ankle), Emyr Phillips (shoulder), James Davies (ankle), Rory Pitman (neck)