Fitness boost for Scarlets ahead of Connacht clash

Scarlets have been handed a timely lifeline ahead of Sunday’s Guinness PRO12 clash against Connacht, at Parc y Scarlets, with Scottish international John Barclay returning to fitness in time for the all-important clash.

Injuries at openside flanker have blighted the region in recent weeks with Barclay, James Davies, Will Boyde and Josh Macleod unavailable and Emyr Phillips, who played in the jersey last weekend, also ruled out for the remainder of the season with a knee injury.

Rory Pitman also makes a return to the matchday 23 for the first time since facing Ulster in the second round of the Guinness PRO12 in September having ruptured a bicep.

All Black, Regan King, returns to the starting XV with Gareth Owen unavailable due to injury. Gareth Davies is ruled out due to illness handing Aled Davies the scrum half jersey with Rhodri Williams featuring for the first time for the regional side since the third round European Rugby Champions Cup defeat to Glasgow.

21-year-old hooker Ryan Elias is named as cover for captain Ken Owens, looking to continue his development on the regional stage. His last appearance came off the replacements bench in the 25-14 defeat to Leinster in October.

Another of the region’s next generation named on the replcements bench and looking for his first Scarlets appearance since December 2014 is centre Steff Hughes.

Scarlets Backs Coach Stephen Jones said: “We’ve played 11 games and we’re halfway through the season. We’ve put a lot of good things in place but we still have a lot of areas we need to tidy up on, that’s the focus for us as coaches. The good thing for us is a lot of those things are in our control.

“From our aspect, we’ll make sure our house is in order to get back to winning ways, that’s our goal. We’re expecting a tough game because they’re a tough opponent.

“They’re a very good side. Statistically they’re very good. They want to play open expansive rugby. We’re looking forward to it, it will be a great challenge for us.”

Scarlets team to take on Connacht at Parc y Scarlets, Sunday 10^th January kick-off 2.30pm;

15 Michael Collins, 14 Steff Evans, 13 Regan King, 12 Hadleigh Parkes, 11 DTH van der Merwe, 10 Aled Thomas, 9 Aled Davies, 1 Rob Evans, 2 Ken Owens ©, 3 Samson Lee, 4 Tom Price, 5 Lewis Rawlins, 6 Aaron Shingler, 7 John Barclay, 8 Morgan Allen

Replacements: Ryan Elias, Phil John, Rhodri Jones, Maselino Paulino, Rory Pitman, Rhodri Williams, Steve Shingler, Steff Hughes

Unavailable for selection: Will Boyde (foot), James Davies (foot), Peter Edwards (elbow), Liam Williams (foot), Scott Williams (knee), Tom Williams (shoulder), Tom Phillips (concussion), Michael Tagicakibau (hamstring), Jake Ball (knee), George Earle (calf), Harry Robinson (hamstring), Gareth Owen (shoulder), Emyr Phillips (knee), Jack Condy (shoulder)