Scarlets have lost all four fixtures in the first block of the URC and return to action on Saturday, to a match against the Scottish region that will be a real test of their squad depth.
The fixture clashes with Wales autumn international against South Africa, leaving Peel without a significant part of his first team lineup.
Centre’s Joe Hawkins and Joe Roberts have both been named in Steve Tandy’s starting XV, along with backs Ellis Mee and Blair Murray. Tom Rogers, a hattrick hero last weekend for Wales against New Zealand is also unavailable having suffered a hamstring injury.
But seeing two of his most trusted lieutenants in Macleod, who returns to the fold after recovering from a torn pectoral muscle and Elias from a bicep/elbow issue suffered in pre-season is a real boost to the side says the former Wales scrum-half.
“It’s really important for us – he [Macleod] is captain and leader of the team,” said Peel.
“We have missed him since round one. It’s been great to have him around the group.
“His presence within the group and the confidence he brings out in others makes the guy next to him or in front better. He’s that type of player.
“It’s great have him back, and also Ryan Elias as well. Ryan is good to go; we haven’t seen him this season yet. For a leadership perspective, it’s great to have those two guys back.
“It’s not ideal, we have [lost] five of our backs with Wales, continued Peel.
“It’s great for them – we are very appreciative that we have representatives in the Wales squad and celebrate that with them.
“But we’ve known about the fixture for a long time, so it is not a surprise. It is now an opportunity for some of those young guys to step up.
“Late call ups obviously disrupts as you have an idea of what the team is going to look like with Ellis [Mee] getting called up this week and Joe [Roberts] last.
“We do have Eddie James back though and it’s a good time for him to be back in the fold.”
In a side named with a blend of youth and experience, Scarlets have a fresh look behind the scrum handing a URC debut to 20-year-old wing Iori Badham. The Tenby product forms part of a new-look back three alongside full-back Jac Davies and wing Tomi Lewis.
Macs Page partners the fit-again centre James in midfield, whilst Johnny Williams is ruled out as he continues return-to-play protocols following a knock to the head at The Stoop in the friendly loss against Harlequins last weekend.
Creative duties will be placed in the hands of half-back pairing Sam Costelow and Gareth Davies.
Up front, Elias packs down between Kemsley Mathias and Archer Holz. Jake Ball once again partners Sam Lousi at lock, while Max Douglas starts at blindside in a back-row that also includes, Macleod and debutant Fletcher Anderson.
22-year-old, Kiwi, Anderson, despite having only been in West Wales for a few weeks has already made a big impression with the Scarlets boss excited by what he has seen so far.
“He’s the type of player we have been looking for a while, a ball-carrying number eight. He fits the profile for us and gives us a bit of balance in the back-row,” explained Peel.
“He’s a smart rugby player. He understands the game really well. He’s a bright boy. I am really excited to see him play.
“We have got him at the right time. Credit to him, he has taken that leap to come over. He sees an opportunity to grow. I think he’s going to be a really good asset for us.”
Welsh-qualified second row Harvey Cuckson has returned for a second loan spell from Bath and is named on the bench, along with talented 17-year-old Llandovery College and Carmarthen Quins fly-half Carwyn Leggatt-Jones and Burry Port product, centre Gabe McDonald – two more players set for their URC bows.
“You take your learnings from it [first block of fixtures],” said Peel.
“We are disappointed with four losses from four. Especially the home games where we got overpowered against Stormers and Munster.
“In South Africa the performances were much better, and we took a step forward but didn’t come away with a win we so wanted.
“It was a difficult block with injuries to second rows and Josh not being available. Ryan also, and Marnus [van der Merwe] for one. That takes its toll with a small squad when you lose key players.
“The last game we had Jake [Ball] and Sam Lousi back and it makes a difference to the depths of your squad.
“They [Glasgow] are a good, top four side. They would have had a lot of players away with Scotland so I’m not sure about selection. They do though have strong depth and are a team who want to play attractive football.
“If you don’t get on top of them, they can run riot. For us, it’s about trying not to give themselves too much access. We have to play our own game and limit their chances.”
Scarlets XV to face Glasgow Warriors:
15 Jac Davies, 14 Iori Badham, 13 Macs Page, 12 Eddie James, 11 Tomi Lewis; 10 Sam Costelow, 9 Gareth Davies; 1 Kemsley Mathias, 2 Ryan Elias, 3 Archer Holz, 4 Jake Ball, 5 Sam Lousi, 6 Max Douglas, 7 Josh Macleod (captain), 8 Fletcher Anderson.
Replacements: 16 Marnus van der Merwe, 17 Sam O’Connor, 18 Henry Thomas, 19 Harvey Cuckson, 20 Dan Davis, 21 Dane Blacker, 22 Carwyn Leggatt-Jones, 23 Gabe McDonald.
[Lead image: Scarlets Rugby]
