The former flanker has selected a new-look back-three for tomorrow’s RaboDirect Pro12 opener against Leinster with Gareth Owen at full-back and Liam Williams and Kristian Phillips on the wings.
Easterby still has Wales Under-20 star Jordan Williams at his disposal and new New Zealande signing Frazier Climo will arrive next month.
“We’ve lost a couple of good players, so there’s always going to be a bit of a transition in that part of our team,” said Easterby.
“It gives those players an opportunity to stake their claims. They have to work as a unit and be interchangeable.
“We’re confident we’ve got the players who are versatile enough to do that. The players have been there for a while, and hopefully we’ll be bringing in Climo in four to five weeks.”
And Easterby has challenged Phillips to grasp his opportunity with both hands. The electric wing switched to Parc y Scarlets from the Ospreys last season but struggled to establish a first team place.
“Kristian has trained and conditioned particularly well this summer,” added Easterby.
“His challenge is to get some game time and take the opportunities.
“He is a fabulous athlete and he has shown that in a couple of pre-season games already. His task is to show how good an athlete he really is.”
