Scrum half urged to take his chance

The 20-year-old has retained the Scarlets No.9 shirt ahead of English rival Clive Stuart-Smith after an accomplished performance during last week’s defeat to Glasgow.

“If you look at Liam last year, he had an opportunity behind Dwayne Peel and he took it,” explained Jones, now the Skills Coach at Stradey. “This season Liam was held back by a groin injury and has seen Clive stake his place, but against Glasgow last week he did very well. He showed his strengths. He was sharp, alert and his service was good so he deserves another chance. It’s up to him to grab it.”

The Scarlets have made a total of five changes as well as three positional switches. Matthew Watkins moves to the left wing from midfield which means Darren Daniel moves to the opposite wing while captain James Bater goes from openside flanker to blindside to allow Gavin Thomas to return.

Morgan Stoddart replaces Barry Davies at fullback while in the forwards Deacon Manu, Vernon Cooper and Nathan Thomas are the new faces.

Llanelli Scarlets: M Stoddard; D Daniel, G Evans, R King, M Watkins; C Thomas, L Davies; I Thomas, A Gravelle, D Manu, V Cooper, S MacLeod, J Bater (capt), G Thomas, N Thomas

Replacements: J Davies, D Jones, K Owens, I Afeaki, A Jones, C Stuart-Smith, B Davies