Scarlets v Munster: Guinness PRO12 preview
Last Updated: 03/09/16 2:19pm
Jonathan Davies has been named on the bench for Scarlets as one of 11 internationals selected to face Munster on Saturday, live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 2.30pm.
After spending the last two seasons in France with Clermont, the 28-year-old is raring to get going again for the region.
"It's been really good to come back," said the Wales centre. "What's been achieved over the last year and the improvements that have been made are good to see.
"I've really enjoyed working with the coaches so far and I'm excited for the group of players we have and what we could achieve this year."
Elsewhere for the Scarlets 19 year-old Josh Macleod makes his first competitive start in the back row, and both Liam Williams and Scott Williams return having missed much of the 2015-16 campaign. Wales' Ken Owens leads the side from the front row, where he is joined by Dylan Evans and Werner Kruger.
Scarlets coach Wayne Pivac says his side have lifted their intensity in preparation for the clash against one of Ireland's powerhouses.
"It's been nice to have an edge in training," said Pivac.
"Munster bring a lot of physicality, we played them in the last game of the season last year, it's fresh in our minds and they will attack us around the fringes.
Meanwhile Munster opt for a settled side, with only one change to the team that ran out 52-21 winners over Worcester in the club's final pre-season outing. Second rower Dave Foley comes into the side at the expense of Jean Kleyn in the No 4 jersey.
Academy centre Dan Goggin retains the No 13 jersey for his first competitive start, and New Zealander Tyler Bleyendaal makes his first PRO12 appearance since December.
Among Munster's replacements, academy prop Brian Scott and South African Kleyn are included in a PRO12 match day squad for the first time.
Scarlets: 15 Liam Williams, 14 DTH van der Merwe, 13 Scott Williams, 12 Hadleigh Parkes, 11 Steff Evans, 10 Rhys Patchell, 9 Gareth Davies, 1 Dylan Evans, 2 Ken Owens (C), 3 Werner Kruger, 4 Jake Ball, 5 Lewis Rawlins, 6 Aaron Shingler, 7 John Barclay, 8 Josh Macleod.
Replacements; 16 Ryan Elias, 17 Wyn Jones, 18 Peter Edwards, 19 David Bulbring, 20 Tadhg Beirne, 21 Jonathan Evans, 22 Dan Jones, 23 Jonathan Davies.
Munster: 15 Simon Zebo, 14 Darren Sweetnam, 13 Dan Goggin, 12 Rory Scannell, 11 Ronan O'Mahony, 10 Tyler Bleyendaal, 9 Duncan Williams, 1 James Cronin, 2 Niall Scannell, 3 John Ryan, 4 Dave Foley, 5 Billy Holland (C), 6 Dave O'Callaghan, 7 Tommy O'Donnell, 8 Jack O'Donoghue.
Replacements: 16 Kevin O'Byrne, 17 Dave Kilcoyne, 18 Brian Scott, 19 Jean Kleyn, 20 Donnacha Ryan, 21 Tomás O'Leary, 22 Ian Keatley, 23 Cian Bohane.
Watch Scarlets v Munster live on Sky Sports 1 HD on Saturday from 2.30pm. Catch the match for £6.99 on NOW TV. No contract.
