The Scarlets will field a much-strengthened side for Friday’s final pre-season game against Saracens, with a host of first-choice players back in the fold at Parc y Scarlets (7.30pm kick-off).
Wales men Blair Murray, Ellis Mee, Eddie James, Sam Costelow, Ryan Elias, Joe Hawkins and Henry Thomas are all named in the matchday squad, most of them making their first appearances of the campaign as the countdown to the United Rugby Championship opener against Cardiff continues.
The pick of the returns is Sam Costelow, who starts at fly-half for his first Scarlets appearance since January. An ankle injury suffered on Wales duty in the Six Nations dogged the second half of the number 10’s season, and he lines up with Dane Blacker inside him at half-back.
Murray, Mee and Macs Page form the back three, while James partners Joe Roberts, who crossed twice in the pre-season win at Exeter, in midfield.
A first start for Domachowski
Up front, there is a first start for loose-head prop Corey Domachowski, who packs down alongside Elias and Gabe Hawley.
Will Evans and Harvey Cuckson make up the second row, with Sam Lousi at blindside, Osian Williams at number eight and captain Josh Macleod leading from openside.
The bench carries further experience, including tight-head Henry Thomas, new signings John McKee and Gareth Anscombe, and British and Irish Lions scrum-half Gareth Davies.
The game is the Scarlets’ last before they open their URC campaign at home to Cardiff on Saturday 26 September, and follows an 80-14 defeat to the Dragons in a much-changed side at Llandovery last week.
Scarlets
15 Blair Murray; 14 Ellis Mee, 13 Joe Roberts, 12 Eddie James, 11 Macs Page; 10 Sam Costelow, 9 Dane Blacker; 1 Corey Domachowski, 2 Ryan Elias, 3 Gabe Hawley, 4 Will Evans, 5 Harvey Cuckson, 6 Sam Lousi, 7 Josh Macleod (c), 8 Osian Williams.
Replacements
John McKee, Josh Morse, Henry Thomas, Jac Price, Gabe Cahsay, Dom Kossuth, Joe Denman, Harri O’Connor, Sam O’Connor, Archie Hughes, Gareth Davies, Gareth Anscombe, Joe Hawkins, Ioan Nicholas, Ioan Jones.
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