Wales international centre Johnny Williams takes over the captain’s armband for the first time in Saturday’s BKT United Rugby Championship round two clash with Connacht in Galway (1.45pm; Premier Sports).
Williams is handed the reins following an injury to Josh Macleod, who damaged a pectoral muscle in training this week.
In all, there are three personnel changes to the starting XV that took the field against Munster last weekend.
With Sam Costelow ruled out because of HIA, Joe Hawkins switches to fly-half and Williams comes in at inside centre.
Up front, Jarrod Taylor and Dan Davis make up a new-look back row alongside No. 8 Taine Plumtree.
Blair Murray, Tom Rogers and Ellis Mee continue in the back three, while Joe Roberts partners Williams in midfield. At half-back, Hawkins links up with Davies.
The front five is unchanged. Alec Hepburn, Harry Thomas and Henry Thomas again pack down in the front row, with Jake Ball and Max Douglas the second-row pairing.
Nineteen-year-old back-rower Osian Williams is set for his URC debut if he appears off the bench. The Carmarthen product is another who has come through the age-grade pathway and captained Scarlets U18s last season.
The versatile Ioan Nicholas also comes into the match-day 23.
Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel said: “Connacht have been in good form, in pre-season and last weekend against Benetton, they have Stuart Lancaster in charge and look a good unit. Last week against Munster was one of the biggest collision games we have had in a number of years, but we finished the game strongly and we can take confidence in that. We know there are areas where we need to improve, particularly converting chances in the opposition 22. For us, it is about going out there and having a go at Connacht on their own patch.”
Scarlets team to face Connacht at Dexcom Stadium on Saturday, October 4 (1.45pm)
15 Blair Murray; 14 Tom Rogers, 13 Joe Roberts, 12 Johnny Williams (capt), 11 Ellis Mee; 10 Joe Hawkins, 9 Gareth Davies; 1 Alec Hepburn, 2 Harry Thomas, 3 Henry Thomas, 4 Max Douglas, 5 Jake Ball, 6 Jarrod Taylor, 7 Dan Davis, 8 Taine Plumtree.
Reps: 16 Kirby Myhill, 17 Sam O’Connor, 18 Harri O’Connor, 19 Tristan Davies, 20 Osian Williams, 21 Dane Blacker, 22 Ioan Nicholas, 23 Macs Page.
Unavailable because of injury/illness
Josh Macleod, Sam Lousi, Sam Costelow, Kemsley Mathias, Ryan Elias, Eddie James, Jac Price, Will Evans, Dom Kossuth.
Unavailable because of international duty
Marnus van der Merwe
