Wales international hooker Ryan Elias will make his first appearance of the season as BKT United Rugby Championship action returns with the visit of Glasgow Warriors to Parc y Scarlets on Saturday night (19:45 KO; S4C & Premier Sports).
Elias hasn’t played because of a bicep/elbow issue suffered in pre-season and is a welcome addition to a much-changed Scarlets line-up from the one that took the field in their last URC outing in Durban.
Skipper Josh Macleod, who had a run-out in a friendly against Harlequins last weekend, is back to lead the side after recovering from a torn pectoral muscle, while Max Douglas is also fit to take his spot in the starting XV.
The Scarlets are missing six of their regular three-quarters because of either Wales Autumn Series duty or injury so there is a fresh look behind the scrum and a URC debut for 20-year-old wing Iori Badham (pictured below). The Tenby product is part of a new-look back three alongside full-back Jac Davies and wing Tomi Lewis, who crossed for a try double against Quins.
In midfield, Macs Page partners the fit-again Eddie James – another who didn’t tour South Africa. Johnny Williams is ruled out as continues return-to-play protocols following a knock to the head at The Stoop.
At half-back, Sam Costelow partners Gareth Davies.
Up front, Elias packs down between Kemsley Mathias and Archer Holz. Ball is named in the boilerhouse alongside Sam Lousi, while Douglas starts at blindside in a back-row that also includes No. 8 Fletcher Anderson – another making his URC debut – and Macleod.
Welsh-qualified second row Harvey Cuckson has returned for a second loan spell from Bath and is named on the bench, along with talented Llandovery College and Carmarthen Quins fly-half Carwyn Leggatt-Jones – who turned 18 on Friday – and Burry Port product, centre Gabe McDonald; two more players set for their URC bows.
Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel said: “It is the start of a massive block of matches for us and it is important we start picking up points. We are obviously disappointed with four losses from four, but I thought we took a step forward in South Africa and we need to keep building momentum.
“Having leaders like Josh (Macleod) and Ryan (Elias) back is massive for us and although we are missing a few backs, it gives an opportunity to some exciting young home-grown players in the squad. I’m excited to see how they go.”
Scarlets team to face Glasgow Warriors on Saturday, November 29 (19:45; S4C & Premier Sports)
15 Jac Davies; 14 Iori Badham, 13 Macs Page, 12 Eddie James, 11 Tomi Lewis; 10 Sam Costelow, 9 Gareth Davies; 1 Kemsley Mathias, 2 Ryan Elias, 3 Archer Holz, 4 Jake Ball, 5 Sam Lousi, 6 Max Douglas, 7 Josh Macleod (capt), 8 Fletcher Anderson.
Reps: 16 Marnus van der Merwe, 17 Sam O’Connor, 18 Henry Thomas, 19 Harvey Cuckson, 20 Dan Davis, 21 Dane Blacker, 22 Carwyn Leggatt-Jones, 23 Gabe McDonald.
Unavailable because of injury/illness
Tom Rogers, Johnny Williams, Ioan Nicholas, Archie Hughes, Alec Hepburn, Tristan Davies, Jac Price, Ioan Jones, Will Evans, Dom Kossuth.
Unavailable because of international duty
Blair Murray, Ellis Mee, Joe Roberts, Joe Hawkins, Taine Plumtree