Scarlets have made three changes to their starting line-up for the Guinness PRO14 Boxing Day derby against the Ospreys
Angus O’Brien, man of the match in his previous appearance against Bayonne, gets the nod in the No. 10 jersey and replaces Dan Jones, who suffered a rib injury in the 22-20 defeat to the Dragons last weekend.
Wing Johnny McNicholl also picked up an ankle issue at Rodney Parade and misses out so Ryan Conbeer slots in on the right wing.
The other change sees Scotland international Blade Thomson come in for Uzair Cassiem at No. 8.
Conbeer is named in a back three alongside Leigh Halfpenny and Steff Evans. Steff Hughes and Hadleigh Parkes continue in midfield, while O’Brien partners Gareth Davies at half-back.
The front five remains the same with the all-Wales international trio of Wyn Jones, skipper Ken Owens and Samson Lee packing down in the front row and Jake Ball and Sam Lousi at lock.
Thomson is named alongside Aaron Shingler and Josh Macleod in the back row.
With Cassiem named among the replacements, the other changes on the bench see the return of South African tight-head Werner Kruger and the inclusion of versatile back Paul Asquith.
More than 13,000 tickets have been sold for the much-anticipated derby clash. Remaining tickets are still available at tickets.scarlets.wales
Scarlets (v Ospreys; Parc y Scarlets, Thursday, December 26, 5.15pm ko)
15 Leigh Halfpenny; 14 Ryan Conbeer, 13 Steff Hughes, 12 Hadleigh Parkes, 11 Steff Evans; 10 Angus O’Brien, 9 Gareth Davies; 1 Wyn Jones, 2 Ken Owens (capt), 3 Samson Lee, 4 Jake Ball, 5 Sam Lousi, 6 Aaron Shingler, 7 Josh Macleod, 8 Blade Thomson.
Reps: 16 Ryan Elias, 17 Phil Price, 18 Werner Kruger, 19 Tevita Ratuva, 20 Uzair Cassiem, 21 Kieran Hardy, 22 Ryan Lamb, 23 Paul Asquith.
Unavailable because of injury
Jonathan Davies (knee), Rhys Patchell (shoulder), James Davies (back), Tom Phillips (hand), Tom Prydie (hamstring), Dan Davis (foot), Rob Evans (neck), Dan Jones (ribs), Johnny McNicholl (ankle), Joe Roberts (knee).