Scarlets v Connacht: Guinness PRO12 preview
By Tony Tighe
Last Updated: 10/01/16 5:33pm
Stephen Jones says Scarlets must get their house in order ahead of Sunday's Guinness PRO12 clash with Connacht.
The Scarlets sat top of the PRO12 standings heading into round 12 but are on a four-game losing streak which includes narrow defeats to Welsh rivals the Ospreys and Cardiff Blues.
John Barclay's return to fitness is a timely boost but backs coach Jones is braced for a tough challenge against Pat Lam's side.
"We've played 11 games and we're halfway through the season," said Jones.
"We've put a lot of good things in place but we still have a lot of areas we need to tidy up on, that's the focus for us as coaches. The good thing for us is a lot of those things are in our control.
From our aspect, we'll make sure our house is in order to get back to winning ways, that's our goal.
Stephen Jones
"From our aspect, we'll make sure our house is in order to get back to winning ways, that's our goal. We're expecting a tough game because they're a tough opponent.
"They're a very good side. Statistically they're very good. They want to play open expansive rugby. We're looking forward to it, it will be a great challenge for us."
Scotland international Barclay starts at openside flanker while New Zealand international Regan King returns to the line-up with Gareth Owen unavailable due to injury.
Gareth Davies misses out through illness so Aled Davies comes in at scrum-half.
Connacht's form also dipped during the last month and they travel to Parc y Scarlets seeking to snap a run of three successive defeats.
Head coach Lam makes one change to the team that failed to score against Leinster on New Year's Day, with 22-year-old lock Ultan Dillane rotating with Aly Muldowney.
"While we were disappointed with the outcome last week against Leinster, there were a lot of positives we could take from the performance," said Lam.
"We travel with the same squad to take on a strong Scarlets side on their home pitch this weekend.
"There are certain aspects of our game that we are looking to improve from last week. With a solid week's training under our belt, we go with confidence knowing that if we add clinical execution to the work ethic already shown, we'll have every chance of getting the points on offer."
Scarlets: 15 Michael Collins, 14 Steff Evans, 13 Regan King, 12 Hadleigh Parkes, 11 DTH van der Merwe, 10 Aled Thomas, 9 Aled Davies; 1 Rob Evans, 2 Ken Owens (c), 3 Samson Lee, 4 Tom Price, 5 Lewis Rawlins, 6 Aaron Shingler, 7 John Barclay, 8 Morgan Allen.
Replacements: 16 Ryan Elias, 17 Phil John, 18 Rhodri Jones, 19 Maselino Paulino, 20 Rory Pitman, 21 Rhodri Williams, 22 Steve Shingler, 23 Steff Hughes.
Connacht: 15 Tiernan O'Halloran, 14 Niyi Adeolokun, 13 Bundee Aki, 12 Craig Ronaldson, 11 Matt Healy, 10 Jack Carty, 9 Kieran Marmion; 1 Finlay Bealham, 2 Tom McCartney, 3 Nathan White, 4 Ultan Dillane, 5 Andrew Browne, 6 John Muldoon (c), 7 Jake Heenan, 8 Eoghan Masterson.
Replacements: 16 Dave Heffernan, 17 Ronan Loughney, 18 Rodney Ah You, 19 Aly Muldowney, 20 Sean O'Brien, 21 Ian Porter, 22 AJ McGinty, 23 Rory Parata.
