While James lines up against the Irishmen, Scarlets Director of Rugby Phil Davies has given his international teammates Stephen Jones, Dwayne Peel, Mark Jones, Matthew Rees and Alix Popham, together with Ireland’s Simon Easterby, a few more days to recharge their batteries after only returning to training today.
Lock Scott MacLeod has been another week to rest following Scotland’s quarter-final defeat at the hands of Argentina on Sunday. Davies is likely to give the majority of his internationals a run out against Bristol in the EDF Energy Cup on October 28th and against Leeds five days later.
Nevertheless, Davies is delighted to welcome back a player who was an integral part of the region’s impressive run in Europe last season. Davies commented, “Daf has not played a lot of rugby over the course of the summer and is itching to come back in. I wanted to give him a start if he was comfortable and there was no doubt he was.”
James is one of four changes to the Scarlets line-up following the remarkable 52-23 victory over Leinster in Dublin last weekend.
Prop Iestyn Thomas and No.8 Nathan Thomas also return to the fray, replacing Phil John and Dafydd Jones respectively while young hooker Ken Owens comes in for James Hayter. Davies keeps faith with the young half back partnership of Liam Davies and Rhys Priestland.
Scarlets: Morgan Stoddart, Dafydd James, Regan King, Gavin Evans, Matthew Watkins, Rhys Priestland Liam Davies; Iestyn Thomas, Ken Owens, Deacon Manu, Vernon Cooper, Adam Eustace, James Bater (Capt), Johnathan Edwards, Nathan Thomas
Replacements: Bruce Douglas, James Hayter, Lou Reed, Dafydd Jones, Gavin Cattle, Ceiron Thomas, Nathan Brew
Ulster (from):
Backs: Paul Marshall; Isaac Boss; Niall O’Connor; Paddy Wallace; Tommy Bowe; Seamus Mallon; Simon Danielli; Mark McCrea; Mark Bartholomeusz, Bryn Cunningham
Forwards: Bryan Young, Justin Fitzpatrick, Nigel Brady, Rory Best, Matt Miles, Tom Court, Justin Harrison, Tim Barker, Carlo del Fava, Matt McCullough, Neil McMillan, Roger Wilson, Stephen Ferris
Referee: Malcolm Changleng (SRU).