The Scarlets are boosted by the return of five Wales internationals for Saturday night’s Guinness PRO14 clash with Cardiff Blues (7.35pm).
Liam Williams, Leigh Halfpenny, Jonathan Davies, Johnny Williams and Gareth Davies all come in for the Cardiff City Stadium clash, amid 10 changes to the team that beat the Dragons on New Year’s Day.
It will be just a second appearance for the region for Wales and Lions full-back Liam Williams following his return from Saracens way back in February of last year.
He has been plagued by injuries this season, the latest problem being ankle damage sustained in the final Nations Cup match against Italy.
But now he’s fit and raring to go again amid a star-studded back-line.
There’s also a welcome return from injury for centre Johnny Williams who hasn’t played since picking up a calf issue while on Wales duty in November.
He will be partnered in midfield by Jonathan Davies who takes over the captaincy.
Fellow Welsh international Jake Ball is ruled out with a knee injury, so Tevita Ratuva comes into the second row, with Josh Macleod drafted in on the flank.
Wales forwards Ken Owens, Wyn Jones, Samson Lee, Rob Evans, James Davies and Aaron Shingler remain sidelined, along with fly-half Rhys Patchell.
In the Blues ranks, there’s a first start since November for centre Willis Halaholo who has recovered from minor knee surgery.
And they too are boosted by internationals returning in the shape of Jarrod Evans, Cory Hill and James Botham, amid eightg changes from the side beaten by the Ospreys on New Year’s Day, while prop Dmitri Arhip makes his 100th PRO14 appearance
Following the departure of John Mulvihill, defence coach Richard Hodges takes charge of the side for the derby, with interim Director of Rugby Dai Young starting his role on Monday.
Hodges said: “It’s been business as usual this week and the boys have been really sharp and focused in training.
“To be honest, I couldn’t think of a better fixture to bounce back from last week’s disappointment. We know the strength of the Scarlets squad, but that is a huge motivation for the boys to go out there and prove a point.
“First and foremost we want to get the performance right, and that’s been the message all week. These boys can take a lot of confidence from past performances against Scarlets, and we’re looking forward for more of the same.
“It looks like it’s going to be dry, crisp conditions and, with two positive sides going out there, it should be a good encounter.
“We’re welcoming a number of boys back from injury, including Willis who is making his first start in two months, and they’re all itching to make up for lost time.”
Giving his thoughts, Scarlets head coach Glenn Delaney said: “We have been pleased with two wins from two in tough derby games and the challenges don’t get any easier this weekend.
“We are going to be playing a really creative side which in adversity tends to stand up and play really well. They will be a very tough opponent. Something like what has happened this week (with their coaching set-up) always has a galvanising effect. We know the threats they pose and we are expecting them to put everything on show.”
Cardiff Blues: Matthew Morgan; Josh Adams, Rey Lee-Lo, Willis Halaholo, Hallam Amos; Jarrod Evans, Tomos Williams; Corey Domachowski, Liam Belcher, Dmitri Arhip, James Ratti, Cory Hill (capt.), Shane Lewis-Hughes, James Botham, Josh Turnbull
Replacements: Kristian Dacey, Rhys Carré, Dillon Lewis, Seb Davies, Alun Lawrence, Lloyd Williams, Ben Thomas, Aled Summerhill
Scarlets: Leigh Halfpenny; Liam Williams, Jonathan Davies (capt), Johnny Williams, Steff Evans; Dan Jones, Gareth Davies; Phil Price, Marc Jones, Pieter Scholtz, Tevita Ratuva, Sam Lousi, Blade Thomson, Josh Macleod, Sione Kalamafoni.
Replcements: Ryan Elias, Kemsley Mathias, Javan Sebastian, Josh Helps, Ed Kennedy, Kieran Hardy, Sam Costelow, Paul Asquith.
