Of the starting XV, only fullback Barry Davies – a member of Wales’ Six Nations squad – has yet to play Test rugby. Twelve players have worn the red of Wales, while burly winger Salesi Finau has played for Tonga and backrower Simon Easterby helped Ireland to the Triple Crown this season.
Jenkins has named club captain Leigh Davies on the bench.
Scarlets coach Nigel Davies said the side were wary of Biarritz, and remembered vividly last season’s upset loss to Perpignan at the same stage of the tournament.
‘Biarritz are a huge challenge, even with home
advantage,’ he said. ‘
They have an extremely physical pack, a most effective lineout and like to turn rucks into mauls, meaning they get a lot of penalties.’
Llanelli Scarlets: B Davies; G Evans, M Taylor, M Watkins, S Finau; S Jones, D Peel; I Thomas, R McBryde, J Davies, V Cooper (capt), C Wyatt, D Jones, S Easterby, S Quinnell
Replacements: J Thiel, A Gravelle, A Jones, D Hodges, M Phillips, G Bowen, L Davies
Biarritz Olympique: N Brusque; P Bidabe, M Gaitan, J Isaac, J Marlu; J Peyrelongue, D Yachvili; P Balan, J Gonzalez, D Avril, H Manent, D Couzinet, S Betsen, O Tonita, T Lievremont (capt)
Replacements: J Campo, M Fitzgerald, S Puleoto, O Nauroy, TBC, P Bernat-Salles, L Mazas,
Referee: Chris White (England)
