Last weekend’s 27-22 victory over the Irish province took the West Wallians off the bottom of the URC table and closed the gap on the top eight teams to eight points with a game in hand.
Victory in Italy would be a perfect way for new Scarlets boss Nigel Davies to sign off the block on what is looking like an increasingly open battle for the play-offs, but for now, the Interim director of rugby is concentrating on one game at a time.
“If you take our discipline away from the last four games, we would have won those pretty comfortably,” said Davies.
“We performed at a level for the last two games, but there are still things missing from our game to improve this team.
“When we start to put that together with what we got, then who knows. That is the challenge to drive those standards and make sure they are upheld in every aspect of what we do.
“We are taking each game as it comes because that’s where we are. We are nearly at the bottom of the table.
“It’s the processes and performances that will be key, and then in two months time we can have a look where things are.”
With nine players unavailable on Wales Six Nations duty, 18-year-old Llandovery College fly-half Leggatt-Jones is one of 12 changes to the starting XV who will take the field at the Stadio Monigo.
This weekend sees the team show a blend of youth and experience. A new-look back three sees Jac Davies, who enjoyed an impressive Champions Cup campaign, start at full back with Macs Page and Tomi Lewis taking their places on the wing.
In midfield, Joe Roberts is back from injury to partner Johnny Williams, who will wear the captain’s armband for the clash.
Leggatt-Jones, whose two previous URC appearances came off the bench against Glasgow and Dragons, is handed the number ten shirt and is partnered by veteran former Wales scrum-half Gareth Davies.
Up front, Alec Hepburn gets the nod at loose-head prop, Marnus van der Merwe comes in at hooker, while Archer Holz retains the tight-head spot.
Jac Price will make his first URC start of the season alongside Sam Lousi in the second row.
In the back row, Max Douglas has overcome the bicep injury he suffered against Northampton and starts at blindside, Jarrod Taylor wears the number seven shirt, whilst Fletcher Anderson – an ever-present since his arrival in November – starts again at number eight.
Among the replacements, Jake Ball has come through his return-to-play protocols and will make his 100th URC appearance if he comes off the bench.
On-loan Billy McBryde, who made his last Scarlets appearance nine years ago, provides experienced fly-half cover, while academy wing Iori Badham is in line for only his second league outing.
“We have looked at these URC games, Ulster and Benetton, as a two-game series, and it’s important we back up last weekend’s win – we’ve done the first bit, now our focus is on another massive game,” continued Davies.
“Benetton have recruited well, are coached well and play a good brand of rugby. Like us, they have players missing but will still be very strong. We have selected a side with a lot of talented young players who I am excited to see step up to the challenge on Friday night.”
Scarlets XV to face Benetton Rugby:
15 Jac Davies, 14 Macs Page, 13 Joe Roberts, 12 Johnny Williams (captain), 11 Tomi Lewis, 10 Carwyn Leggatt-Jones, 9 Gareth Davies, 1 Alec Hepburn, 2 Marnus van der Merwe, 3 Archer Holz, 4 Jac Price, 5 Sam Lousi, 6 Max Douglas, 7 Jarrod Taylor, 8 Fletcher Anderson.
Replacements:
16 Harry Thomas, 17 Josh Morse, 18 Henry Thomas, 19 Jake Ball, 20 Dan Davis, 21 Dane Blacker, 22 Billy McBryde, 23 Iori Badham
[Lead image: Scarlets Rugby]
