Scarlets, lying in 15th place in the table, come into the match looking to leapfrog their Scottish rivals, who are three points and two places above them in the URC table.
Macleod and wing Tom Rogers have been released from Steve Tandy’s Wales Six Nations squad during the Championship’s fallow week, providing a massive boost for the West Wallians bid to climb the table.
Looking to build on the 20-20 draw with Benetton last time out, Rogers comes onto the right wing for Scarlets and joins full-back Jac Davies and wing Tomi Lewis in the back three.
In midfield, with Johnny Williams ruled out because of a calf injury, Joe Roberts is partnered by Macs Page who switches from the wing.
Youngster Carwyn Leggatt-Jones, who has been in impressive form for Wales in the U20s Six Nations, makes his second URC start in the number ten jersey, while Archie Hughes replaces Gareth Davies inside him at nine. Loan signing Billy McBryde is unavailable.
Regular playmaker Sam Costelow is sidelined after being forced off on Wales during Wales 26-23 defeat to Scotland last weekend, while Joe Hawkins — another fly-half option this season — remains in the national squad preparing to face Ireland next week.
There are two changes to the pack with loose-head prop Kemsley Mathias coming into the front row alongside hooker Marnus van der Merwe and tight-head Henry Thomas. Archer Holz misses out because of injury.
Veteran Jake Ball replaces Jac Price in the second row, where he will partner Sam Lousi, while Macleod comes into the back row alongside Max Douglas and number eight Fletcher Anderson.
On the bench, Harry Thomas, Alec Hepburn, Harri O’Connor – who is set for his 50th Scarlets appearance – Jac Price and Jarrod Taylor provide the forward cover, with Dane Blacker, Ioan Jones and Gabe McDonald the backline replacements.
Jones, a summer arrival from Gloucester, is poised to make his URC debut having recently recovered from injury.
Prop Josh Morse is ruled out with a hamstring injury, while lock Will Evans is recovering from a quad muscle issue.
Scarlets Interim Director of Rugby Nigel Davies said:
“We have had a good block of training where we have put a lot of work in, focusing a bit more on what I call our DNA and how we want to play.
“We know Edinburgh are one of the quickest starters in the URC so that first 30 minutes is going to be key for us – how we manage the game and our accuracy is going to be really important.
“They are also a side who pride themselves on their scrum and line-out and that is the challenge for our pack to go and take the game to Edinburgh. With only 10 points between us and eighth place in the table, this is another massive game for us.”
“There are a lot of younger players who maybe haven’t had opportunities who are going to be involved in these next few games, and I am excited to see how they go over the coming weeks.”
Scarlets XV to face Edinburgh:
15 Jac Davies, 14 Tom Rogers, 13 Macs Page, 12 Joe Roberts, 11 Tomi Lewis, 10 Carwyn Leggatt-Jones, 9 Archie Hughes 1 Kemsley Mathias, 2 Marnus van der Merwe, 3 Henry Thomas, 4 Jake Ball, 5 Sam Lousi, 6 Max Douglas, 7 Josh Macleod (captain), 8 Fletcher Anderson.
Replacements:
16 Harry Thomas, 17 Alec Hepburn, 18 Harri O’Connor, 19 Jac Price, 20 Jarrod Taylor, 21 Dane Blacker, 22 Ioan Jones, 23 Gabe McDonald.
[Lead image: Scarlets Rugby]
