Josh Macleod returns to lead Scarlets against Stormers

Skipper Josh Macleod returns from injury to lead the Scarlets into their crucial BKT United Rugby Championship clash with DHL Stormers at Parc y Scarlets on Saturday (15:00; S4C, Premier Sports).

Macleod has missed the last two matches with a hamstring injury and is one of six personnel changes from the side that took the field against Ulster in Belfast last time out.

Wales internationals Ellis Mee, Eddie James, Taine Plumtree, Kemsley Mathias and Henry Thomas are recalled to the match-day 23, although Blair Murray misses out with a calf issue.

Mee slots into a back-three alongside Ioan Nicholas and Macs Page, who were both try-scorers at the Kingspan.

James and Joe Roberts reunite in midfield. Johnny Williams is absent because of a calf injury picked up in training this week.

Ioan Lloyd and Gareth Davies continue at half-back.

In the front row, Marnus van der Merwe is recalled at hooker and packs down between Alec Hepburn and Sam Wainwright.

It’s same again in the second row with Alex Craig partnering Sam Lousi.

With Macleod back as captain, he is part of a back row with Vaea Fifita and Plumtree – who are also recalled to the starting XV.

On the bench, Ryan Elias, Kemsley Mathias and Henry Thomas provide an all-Wales international front row as cover. Former Stormer Jarrod Taylor and Dan Davis also are the other forward replacements. Archie Hughes, Charlie Titcombe and Tomi Lewis will cover the backline.

Head coach Dwayne Peel said: “You look at how tight the league is at the moment and it is clear it is going to go down to the wire in terms of the play-off race. Our form here in Llanelli has been excellent this season with the supporters really getting behind the boys. We are going to need that again against a Stormers side who have come here with pretty much a full crew with a couple of Springboks back from injury.”

Scarlets team to play DHL Stormers at Parc y Scarlets on Saturday, March 22 (3pm; S4C & Premier Sports)

15 Ioan Nicholas; 14 Macs Page 13 Joe Roberts, 12 Eddie James, 11 Ellis Mee; 10 Ioan Lloyd, 9 Gareth Davies; 1 Alec Hepburn, 2 Marnus van der Merwe, 3 Sam Wainwright, 4 Alex Craig, 5 Sam Lousi, 6 Vaea Fifita, 7 Josh Macleod (capt), 8 Taine Plumtree.

Reps: 16 Ryan Elias, 17 Kemsley Mathias, 18 Henry Thomas, 19 Jarrod Taylor, 20 Dan Davis, 21 Archie Hughes, 22 Charlie Titcombe, 23 Tomi Lewis.

Unavailable because of injury/illness

Blair Murray, Johnny Williams, Tom Rogers, Max Douglas, Sam Costelow, Ben Williams, Archer Holz, Harri O’Connor, Josh Morse.