Scarlets make three personnel changes to their starting XV, while Fletcher Anderson returns to the bench for Saturday’s BKT United Rugby Championship clash with Benetton Rugby at Parc y Scarlets (17:30; Premier Sports).
Joe Hawkins is handed his first start of the campaign, while Henry Thomas and Will Evans return to the pack as Scarlets strive for their first win of the URC Championship.
Hawkins wears the No. 12 jersey and resumes his Wales international partnership with Eddie James, who switches to outside centre.
The rest of the backline remains the same with Blair Murray, Ellis Mee and Macs Page making up the back three and Sam Costelow linking up with Dane Blacker at half-back.
In the front row, Thomas gets the nod at tight-head and packs down alongside Kemsley Mathias and Ryan Elias.
The 6ft 6in Evans links up with 6ft 9in Alex Groves in a powerful second row combination while Sam Lousi is named in the back row alongside skipper Josh Macleod, who returns to his favoured seven jersey, and Osian Williams at No. 8.
There are significant boosts on the bench with Anderson returning after overcoming the groin injury which has kept him out of pre-season and the opening two rounds of the URC. Johnny Williams, who was forced to withdraw from the squad last weekend following a hamstring twinge, is also named in the 23.
Director of Rugby Nigel Davies said: “We’ve been pretty clear with each other this week. Two defeats from our opening two games isn’t where we wanted to be and we understand the frustration that comes with that, particularly when they are Welsh derbies.
“However, we also need a healthy perspective and continued belief in what we are building. We are two games into a long season, with 20 fixtures yet to play and this is not the time to retreat – it’s the time to have clarity about what is hurting us, address it and go after the next opportunity.
“Despite having just over 30 percent possession and just over 30 percent territory last Saturday, we were still capable of creating opportunities and staying in the contest with a lead at 60 minutes.
“We know that when we retain possession, get field position and generate the speed we want in our game, we can cause teams problems. The challenge is doing that for longer and with far greater consistency.
“We look forward to welcoming back two former Scarlets Wayne Pivac and Rhys Patchell to Parc y Scarlets and we know that as part of the Benetton coaching set-up they will be very driven to get a result over their old team.
“It’s a good kick off time of 5.30pm, we are back at home at Parc y Scarlets in front of our supporters who we know will once again be in fine voice to spur the team on. Our thanks to everyone for their support.”
Scarlets team versus Benetton Rugby (Parc y Scarlets, 17:30; Premier Sports)
15 Blair Murray; 14 Ellis Mee, 13 Eddie James, 12 Joe Hawkins, 11 Macs Page; 10 Sam Costelow, 9 Dane Blacker; 1 Kemsley Mathias, 2 Ryan Elias, 3 Henry Thomas, 4 Will Evans, 5 Alex Groves, 6 Sam Lousi, 7 Josh Macleod, 8 Osian Williams.
Reps: 16 John McKee, 17 Sam O’Connor, 18 Harri O’Connor 19 Harvey Cuckson, 20 Fletcher Anderson, 21 Gareth Davies, 22 Joe Roberts, 23 Johnny Williams.
Unavailable because of illness/injury
Archer Holz, Taine Plumtree, Tristan Davies, Dan Davis, Corey Domachowski, Harry Thomas, Isaac Young, Elis Price.