Johnny McNicholl will make his comeback from injury for the Scarlets' crucial European Challenge Cup pool showdown with Toulon at Parc y Scarlets on Saturday (8pm kick-off).
McNicholl missed the derby wins over the Ospreys and Cardiff Blues because of an ankle injury sustained against the Dragons on December 21, but has now been passed as fit to make his return.
He lines up in a side showing three changes from the region's win at the Arms Park last time out, replacing Ryan Conbeer on the wing in the only change behind the scrum, linking up in a back three that includes Leigh Halfpenny and Steff Evans.
Steff Hughes and Hadleigh Parkes continue at centre for the fourth successive match, while Angus O’Brien again gets the nod at fly-half in partnership with Gareth Davies.
Tight-head prop Samson Lee has recovered from the illness which forced him to withdraw from the Blues match, and is recalled into an all-Wales international front row with Wyn Jones and skipper Ken Owens.
At lock, Sam Lousi, another who was sidelined because of illness last weekend, replaces Tevita Ratuva, who is named among the replacements. The back row of Aaron Shingler, Josh Macleod and Uzair Cassiem is retained.
There are a number of changes on the bench with Werner Kruger and Ratuva dropping down from the starting XV.
Wales international loose-head Rob Evans has overcome a neck issue and features for the first time since the win over Bayonne in mid-December, while Dan Jones has been cleared to play after picking up a rib injury against the Dragons at Rodney Parade before Christmas. Jones, who turned 24 this week, is poised to make his 100th appearance for the Scarlets.
As for the opposition, Toulon have denied Rhys Webb has been left out of the squad and been denied the chance of a pre-Six Nations showdown with Gareth Davies.
Toulon’s head coach Patrice Collazo has left him out in the cold as Webb's time in Toulon turns sour after his new-found eligibility for Wales during the Six Nations was announced.
Collazo said of Webb this week: “I had to judge that he was not able to be competitive for this match.
“I don't know what else I can say. To play at a high level, you have to be good rugby and psychologically. I had to imagine that he had neither.”
After four rounds of European action, Toulon lead Pool 2 (18pts) by four points from the Scarlets (14pts). London Irish, Scarlets’ opponents next weekend in Reading, are seven points further back (7pts).
Tickets are available for the match at tickets.scarlets.wales
The match is being shown live on BT Sport 2 and S4C, and you can follow live updates via WalesOnline.
Scarlets: 15 Leigh Halfpenny; 14 Johnny McNicholl, 13 Steff Hughes, 12 Hadleigh Parkes, 11 Steff Evans; 10 Angus O’Brien, 9 Gareth Davies; 1 Wyn Jones, 2 Ken Owens (capt), 3 Samson Lee, 4 Jake Ball, 5 Sam Lousi, 6 Aaron Shingler, 7 Josh Macleod, 8 Uzair Cassiem.
Replacements: Ryan Elias, Rob Evans, Werner Kruger, Tevita Ratuva, Jac Morgan, Kieran Hardy, Dan Jones, Paul Asquith.
Toulon: B. Heem; M. Dakuwaqa, J. Savea, J. Heriteau, D. Ikpefan; A. Belleau, B. Serin; J. Gros, A. Etrillard (capt), B. Gigashvili, E. Etzebeth, R. Taofifenua, L. Messam, S. Rebbadj, C. Ollivon.
Replacements: B. Soury, F. Fresia, S. Taofifenua, J. Ory, G. Cordin, L. Carbonel, Y. Cottin, B. Alainu'uese.
Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys (England).
Assistants: Adam Leal (England) & Phil Watters (England)
TMO: Claire Hodnett (England).
