Wing Steff Evans makes his comeback from long-term injury as the Scarlets return to BKT United Rugby Championship action against Edinburgh at Parc y Scarlets on Saturday (3pm; Premier Sports).
The 30-year-old Wales international has recovered from rupturing his Achilles suffered against Benetton last March and takes his place in a much-changed three-quarter line.
With five of his back division on Six Nations duty with Wales, Dwayne Peel has made five changes behind the scrum following last weekend’s Challenge Cup win over RC Vannes.
Ioan Nicholas returns to the No. 15 jersey, Evans starts in his accustomed left wing spot, while 21-year-old Jac Davies comes in for his first URC start on the right wing.
In midfield, Macs Pages links up with Johnny Williams – who has recovered from a toe issue – while the half-back pairing of Ioan Lloyd and Gareth Davies are the only players who wore the starting jersey last Saturday.
Up front, the pack has a far more settled look.
There is a change at tight-head with Archer Holz replacing Henry Thomas – another on Wales duty. Australia A international Holz packs down alongside Alec Hepburn and Marnus van der Merwe in the front row.
In the second row, Alex Craig gets the nod to partner Sam Lousi, while Max Douglas is handed the No. 6 jersey. That means Vaea Fifita shifts to No. 8 and skipper Josh Macleod continues at openside.
In a six-two split on the bench, Sam O’Connor, Shaun Evans, Gabe Hawley, Jac Price, Taine Plumtree and Jarrod Taylor provide forward cover with Efan Jones and Charlie Titcombe covering the backs.
Head coach Dwayne Peel said: “This is always a defining part of the season and the three teams we play next, Edinburgh, Munster and Ulster will all be affected by international rugby in the coming weeks. It is going to be a big period for us.
“Losing five backs to Wales as well as the injury to Sam is a challenge, but it is great to have someone of the experience and quality of Steff back following his injury lay-off and I’m excited to see how young Jac Davies goes on his first URC start.”
Scarlets team to play Edinburgh Rugby at Parc y Scarlets on Saturday, January 25 (3pm; Premier Sports)
15 Ioan Nicholas; 14 Jac Davies, 13 Macs Page, 12 Johnny Williams, 11 Steff Evans; 10 Ioan Lloyd, 9 Gareth Davies; 1 Alec Hepburn, 2 Marnus van der Merwe, 3 Archer Holz, 4 Alex Craig, 5 Sam Lousi, 6 Max Douglas, 7 Josh Macleod (capt), 8 Vaea Fifita.
Reps: 16 Shaun Evans, 17 Sam O’Connor, 18 Gabe Hawley, 19 Jac Price, 20 Taine Pluntree, 21 Efan Jones, 22 Charlie Titcombe, 23 Jarrod Taylor.
Unavailable because of injury
Tomi Lewis, Sam Costelow, Ben Williams, Sam Wainwright, Ryan Elias, Harri O’Connor, Josh Morse.
Unavailable because of international duty
Tom Rogers, Blair Murray, Ellis Mee, Joe Roberts, Eddie James, Kemsley Mathias, Henry Thomas