Tom Willis returns to captain the side at Parc y Scarlets, whilst Jason Tovey, Danny Lydiate, Will Harries and Luke Charteris all return to the starting line up following injury or illness.
The Dragons’ last fixture against Cardiff Blues was postponed due to a frozen pitch, whilst the Scarlets were defeated by the Ospreys at the Liberty Stadium. The Dragons will be seeking to avenge their defeat by the Scarlets at Rodney Parade earlier this season.
Scarlets Head Coach Nigel Davies said the squad had been in fighting spirit and positive mood this week in training and after some honest and firm appraisals of their last performance had firmly put their humiliating Ospreys defeat behind them.
Davies said: “The boys are just desperate to get their boots back on and get back on the field at Parc y Scarlets to put things right after the last derby game. It was very disappointing for us all but we’ve had some very frank team sessions this week. This squad are a committed and passionate group of players and we know the way to put it right is to show what we can do on the pitch.
“We will not let one game, however poor a performance affect how we move forward. We’re not dwelling on it and instead we have got to use it as a springboard going into this game against the Dragons game.”
Scarlets: Dan Newton, Morgan Stoddart, Gareth Maule, Jon Davies, Sean Lamont, Rhys Priestland, Tavis Knoyle, Iestyn Thomas, Matthew Rees (capt), Phil John, Vernon Cooper, Jonny Fa’amatuainu, Rob McCusker, Josh Turnbull, David Lyons.
Replacements: Ken Owens, Rhodri Jones, Simon Gardiner, Damian Welch, Ben Morgan, Martin Roberts, Regan King, Lee Williams.
Dragons: W Harries, A Hughes, T Riley, A Smith, A Brew, J Tovey, W Evans; H Gustafson, T Willis (C), B Castle, L Charteris, S Morgan, D Lydiate, G Thomas, T Faletau.
Replacements: S Jones, P Palmer, P Price, A Jones, L Evans, P Leach, J Evans, M Jones.
