Wales and British & Irish Lions scrum-half Gareth Davies is handed the captain’s armband for the Scarlets’ BKT United Rugby Championship opener against Benetton Rugby in Treviso on Saturday evening (19:35 UK time).
Head coach Dwayne Peel has named a match-day squad with plenty of international experience mixed with exciting young talent.
In the back division, new signings Ellis Mee and Blair Murray will make their URC debuts on the wings. Tom Rogers starts in the No. 15 jersey.
Macs Page, who has impressed in pre-season after starring at the U20s World Cup this summer, makes his first URC start in a new midfield combination with Ioan Lloyd (pictured). Wales international Eddie James is ruled out with concussion.
Sam Costelow is handed the keys at 10, partnering fellow international Davies at half-back.
Up front, hooker Marnus van der Merwe is another making his first start for the Scarlets in the competition and he packs down in between Kemsley Mathias and Sam Wainwright.
Alex Craig links up with Max Douglas – another set for his URC bow – in the second row, while Taine Plumtree, Jarrod Taylor and Vaea Fifita make up the back-row breakaway.
Wales international Ryan Elias has recovered from illness to take his place among the replacements.
The bench also includes young props Sam O’Connor and Gabe Hawley – who will make his competitive debut for the club if he comes on. There will also be a URC debut for Jac Davies if he makes an appearance.
Wales centre Johnny Williams has overcome a foot issue to take his place in the 23.
Head coach Dwayne Peel said: “It is important we start this first block well. Going to Treviso is a tough start against a combative side who have some real quality in their group, but we have prepared well and I’m excited to see how we go, particularly some of the younger boys like Macs Page and Ellis Mee, who have shown up well in pre-season. There was a lot of good stuff on show last week against Saracens, with and without the ball, and hopefully we can carry that into Saturday’s game.”
Scarlets team to play Benetton on Saturday, September 21 (7.35pm UK time)
15 Tom Rogers; 14 Ellis Mee, 13 Macs Page, 12 Ioan Lloyd, 11 Blair Murray; 10 Sam Costelow, 9 Gareth Davies (capt); 1 Kemsley Mathias, 2 Marnus van der Merwe, 3 Sam Wainwright, 4 Alex Craig, 5 Max Douglas, 6 Taine Plumtree, 7 Jarrod Taylor, 8 Vaea Fifita.
Reps: 16 Ryan Elias. 17 Sam O’Connor, 18 Gabe Hawley, 19 Jac Price, 20 Carwyn Tuipulotu, 21 Efan Jones, 22 Johnny Williiams, 23 Jac Davies.
Unavailable because of injury
Tomi Lewis, Joe Roberts, Steff Evans, Harri O’Connor, Josh Macleod, Alec Hepburn, Henry Thomas, Shaun Evans, Sam Lousi, Dan Davis, Archie Hughes, Eddie James, Ioan Nicholas.