Scarlets captain Ken Owens makes a return from injury to lead the Scarlets in the first home game of the European Rugby Champions Cup campaign against Racing 92 on Saturday.
Head Coach Wayne Pivac has made three changes to the side that narrowly lost against Northampton Saints away from home last weekend with captain Owens returning to the front row alongside Phil John who comes in for Rob Evans.
The only change in the backline is at fly half with young Dan Jones handed his first Champions Cup start.
The replacements bench includes Dylan Evans and newcomer Michael Collins looking for their first Champions Cup encounter and Steffan Evans who makes a return from an elbow dislocation.
Speaking earlier this week Pivac said: “Following last week’s result what is a comfort to us is that we all feel that we’re not too far off. We’ve made steady progress and that’s what we’re trying to do each week. I think we’re heading in the right direction.
“The first two games are vital in this tournament and it’s important that we get some points on the board early or otherwise we’re chasing the pack.
“The fact that we didn’t get four points last weekend puts more significance on this game. This evening’s game is very much a must win situation.
“We’re expecting a big battle up front from Racing 92 and having a couple of players coming back from injury is good. We’ll be slightly stronger than last week.”
Scarlets team to take on Racing 92 at Parc y Scarlets, Saturday 21st November kick-off 5.30pm;
15 Aled Thomas, 14 Michael Tagicakibau, 13 Gareth Owen, 12 Hadleigh Parkes, 11 DTH van der Merwe, 10 Daniel Jones, 9 Gareth Davies, 1 Phil John, 2 Ken Owens [c], 3 Peter Edwards, 4 Jake Ball, 5 Maselino Paulino, 6 Aaron Shingler, 7 James Davies, 8 John Barclay
Replacements: Emyr Phillips, Dylan Evans, Samson Lee, Tom Price, Lewis Rawlins, Aled Davies, Michael Collins, Steff Evans
Players unavailable for selection: Morgan Allen (bicep), Will Boyde (knee/foot), Steff Hughes (knee), Rhodri Jones (pec), Josh Macleod (ankle), Jack Payne (ankle), Rory Pitman (bicep), Liam Williams (foot), Scott Williams (knee), Regan King (hamstring), Harry Robinson (rested), George Earle (foot), Rob Evans (concussion)
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