21-year-old flanker Will Boyde will make his European Rugby Champions Cup debut at the Parc on Saturday as he makes a return from a long-term injury suffered in Scarlets’ pre-season friendly against Newport Gwent Dragons in August.
Boyde has made six appearances in the famous Scarlet jersey, his only starting XV spot coming in the LV= Cup clash against London Irish in January 2015.
The only other change to the pack sees Aaron Shingler returning to his favoured blindside flank.
Head Coach Pivac has made three changes to the backline that faced Racing 92 last Sunday. Steve Shingler moves from outside half to inside centre with Aled Thomas coming in at outside half. Winger Tom Williams makes a return from injury to line-up alongside DTH van der Merwe and Michael Collins in the back three.
Speaking ahead of the final pool game of the European Rugby Champions Cup campaign Pivac said: “We’re pleased to be welcoming some boys back this weekend. We’re also playing at home. There has been a huge emphasis on rectifying some of the wrongs from last week because we need a strong and improved performance to take into the Connacht game when the PRO12 gets back underway next weekend.
“Northampton are still in with a chance of qualifying. I would expect them to come here and want to perform.
“We’re looking for a big performance no matter what side they put out. We’ll be tidying up our defence and trying to get somewhere near parity in terms of possession and territory.
“You want the players to be hurting after results like last weekend’s so that the next opportunity they have to wear the jersey they right the wrongs.”
Scarlets team to take on Northampton Saints at Parc y Scarlets, Saturday 24thJanuary kick-off 5.30pm;
15 Michael Collins, 14 Tom Williams, 13 Regan King, 12 Steven Shingler, 11 DTH van der Merwe, 10 Aled Thomas, 9 Gareth Davies, 1 Phil John, 2 Ken Owens ©, 3 Samson Lee, 4 Tom Price, 5 Maselino Paulino, 6 Aaron Shingler, 7 Will Boyde, 8 Morgan Allen
Replacements: Kirby Myhill, Dylan Evans, Rhodri Jones, Lewis Rawlins, Tom Phillips, Aled Davies, Josh Lewis, Steff Hughes
Unavailable for selection: James Davies (foot), Peter Edwards (elbow), Liam Williams (foot), Scott Williams (knee), Michael Tagicakibau (hamstring), Josh Macleod (foot), Jake Ball (knee), Harry Robinson (hamstring), Gareth Owen (shoulder), Emyr Phillips (knee), Jack Condy (shoulder), John Barclay (arm), George Earle (calf), Rob Evans (neck), Rory Pitman (arm), Ben Leung (knee)
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