Full-back Ioan Nicholas returns from a calf injury, with Ellis Mee moving to the left wing and Tom Rogers on the right.
In midfield, Joe Roberts switches from wing to his preferred outside centre slot where he partners Eddie James, who wears the No. 12 jersey. Joe Hawkins and Gareth Davies continue at half-back.
Skipper Macleod has come through his head injury protocols to lead the team from openside, so Taine Plumtree moves across the back-row to blindside flanker. Fletcher Anderson, who made more carries than any other player in round eight of the URC, continues in the number eight shirt.
There is a new-look starting front-five of Kemsley Mathias, Marnus van der Merwe, Henry Thomas, Harvey Cuckson, and Max Douglas, with Jake Ball missing because of the knee injury he suffered against Ospreys.
Lock Sam Lousi will make his 100th Scarlets appearance if he comes off the bench.
Loose-head prop Josh Morse, who made his URC debut last weekend, and 18-year-old fly-half Carwyn Leggatt-Jones – both home-grown academy products – are also included in the match-day squad.
Speaking ahead of the clash, Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel said:
“The result on Boxing Day was disappointing for us all. We have had to lick our wounds, and it’s been important to recover well and turn our focus to the Dragons.
“The games are coming thick and fast, and this is another important game and another tough game for us. They are going well at the moment, and we have to make sure we go to Rodney Parade with a spark and full of energy.”
Scarlets XV to face Dragons:
15 Ioan Nicholas; 14 Tom Rogers, 13 Joe Roberts, 12 Eddie James, 11 Ellis Mee; 10 Joe Hawkins, 9 Gareth Davies; 1 Kemsley Mathias, 2 Marnus van der Merwe, 3 Henry Thomas, 4 Max Douglas, 5 Harvey Cuckson, 6 Taine Plumtree, 7 Josh Macleod (captain), 8 Fletcher Anderson.
Replacements:
16 Ryan Elias, 17 Josh Morse, 18 Harri O’Connor, 19 Sam Lousi, 20 Dan Davis, 21 Archie Hughes, 22 Carwyn Leggatt-Jones, 23 Macs Page.
[Lead image: Scarlets Rugby]
