Scarlets have named their side to face the Vodacom Bulls at Parc y Scarlets on Saturday evening (19:45 Premier Sports) with a mix of experience and emerging talent and a clear eye on the future as the season enters its final phase.
There is a BKT United Rugby Championship debut for academy wing Callum Woolley, who has impressed with his pace and work-rate this season, while Macs Page starts on the left wing, replacing Tom Rogers, who is going through return-to-play head injury protocols.
At 6ft 4in, Woolley has caught the eye for Carmarthen Quins in Super Rygbi Cymru and was called up by Great Britain 7s for the Singapore and Perth legs of the World Series in January.
The 20-year-old from Cardigan comes in on the right wing for Ellis Mee, who sustained an ankle injury early on against Cardiff last weekend. Blair Murray again starts at full-back.
In the centre, Joe Roberts gets the nod in the No 13 jersey, partnering Eddie James who moves to inside centre.
The half-back pairing of Joe Hawkins and Dane Blacker is retained, providing continuity and control.
Up front, there is just the one enforced change with Wales international Henry Thomas coming in at tight-head prop for Archer Holz (HIA) to pack down alongside Kemsley Mathias and Ryan Elias in an all-Wales international front row.
Sam Lousi continues his partnership with Max Douglas at lock, while the back row of Taine Plumtree, skipper Fletcher Anderson and Jarrod Taylor is unchanged bringing balance, physicality and edge to the contest.
Back-rower Dan Davis will make his 100th Scarlets appearance if he comes off the bench. Davis, another home-grown product to become a club centurion, made his debut in 2017.
Marnus van der Merwe. Josh Morse, Harri O’Connor and Jac Price provide the rest of the forward cover, with Archie Hughes, Carwyn Leggatt-Jones and Ioan Jones covering the backline.
Interim Director of Rugby Nigel Davies said: “Last weekend’s result hurt, but the response this week has been exactly what you want to see. There’s been honesty, energy and a real determination to move forward together.
“We are very clear as a group that our discipline hasn’t been where it needs to be and that sits with me. It’s my responsibility to ensure we get that right because it’s impacting our performance and results.
“It’s not about individuals — it’s about our system, our decision-making and how we operate under pressure. The players care deeply about it and we will respond together.
“What matters now is how we act. We’ve prepared with real intent this week and I expect us to be smart, controlled and connected in how we play.
“The Bulls bring a big, physical challenge, but these are the games you want to be involved in. We’ve shown before that we can compete with them and we’ve got the ability within this group to do that again.”
“There’s a nice balance to the side. Some exciting young players get their chance and experience against a challenging Bulls side — blended with enough experience and leadership to deliver the performance we’re after.”
“For us, these games are about standards. What we produce now sets the tone for everything that comes next.”
Scarlets team to face Vodacom Bulls on Saturday, April 25 (19:45; Premier Sports)
15 Blair Murray; 14 Callum Woolley, 13 Joe Roberts, 12 Eddie James, 11 Macs Page; 10 Joe Hawkins, 9 Dane Blacker; 1 Kemsley Mathias, 2 Ryan Elias, 3 Henry Thomas, 4 Sam Lousi, 5 Max Douglas, 6 Taine Plumtree, 7 Jarrod Taylor, 8 Fletcher Anderson (capt).
Reps: 16 Marnus van der Merwe, 17 Josh Morse, 18 Harri O’Connor, 19 Jac Price, 20 Dan Davis, 21 Archie Hughes, 22 Carwyn Leggatt-Jones, 23 Ioan Jones.
Unavailable because of injury
Ellis Mee, Tom Rogers, Archer Holz, Josh Macleod, Sam Costelow, Jake Ball, Alec Hepburn, Will Evans, Dom Kossuth.