Scarlets will be looking to get back to winning ways against the league’s basement side after back-to-back away defeats to Edinburgh and Connacht with a youthful-looking side all but ended their hopes of an unlikely top-eight finish.
In the first of three fixtures out of the next four in Llanelli, Interim Director of Rugby Nigel Davies is able to name a side with vital experience, with key leader Macleod back in the XV.
Murray, Rogers, and Mee form an all-international back three, while Johnny Williams partners Macs Page in midfield. Joe Roberts misses out as he goes through return-to-play head injury protocols following a knock in Galway last weekend, while Eddie James is nursing a shoulder issue picked up during the Six Nations.
Up front, there are two changes in the front row – Elias replaces Marnus van der Merwe in the number two jersey, while Archer Holz returns from injury at tight-head.
Max Douglas moves from the back row into lock alongside Sam Lousi; Jarrod Taylor switches from openside to blindside, allowing Macleod to come into his favoured number seven shirt, whilst Fletcher Anderson continues at number eight.
On the bench, van der Merwe, Henry Thomas, and Gabe Hawley provide the front-row cover, with Jac Price, Dan Davis, Dane Blacker, Hawkins, and Ioan Jones also among the replacements.
Zebre may have lost their past ten URC matches, but they have qualified for the last-16 of the European Challenge Cup after pool wins against Mountauban, Black Lion, and Ospreys.
Interim Director of Rugby Nigel Davies said:
“There have been obvious frustrations with how the last two games against Edinburgh and Connacht have gone because I felt we were in positions in both matches to push on and get more out of them.
“Last weekend in Galway, Connacht won the gainline battle and we also weren’t clinical enough when we got into the red zone, but we have had a good week working on the skills we need to deliver in those areas and hopefully we can deliver a result against a very capable Zebre side.
“They’ve got some real quality players within their side, and if they get momentum against anyone, they’re capable of scoring points, so yes, it’s a challenge for us.
“It’s been great to have our Wales boys back with us, they are in good spirits and I am also looking forward to playing at home again. The crowd were fantastic for us in our last home game against Ulster and hopefully they can come out and support in their numbers again on Friday night.
“We’ve got to be right on our metal in terms of clarity on our game, what we want to do in certain areas, particularly when we get into that red zone.”
Scarlets XV to face Zebre Parma
15 Blair Murray; 14 Tom Rogers, 13 Macs Page, 12 Johnny Williams, 11 Ellis Mee; 10 Carwyn Leggatt-Jones, 9 Archie Hughes; 1 Kemsley Mathias, 2 Ryan Elias, 3 Archer Holz, 4 Sam Lousi, 5 Max Douglas, 6 Jarrod Taylor, 7 Josh Macleod (captain), 8 Fletcher Anderson.
Replacements:
16 Marnus van der Merwe, 17 Henry Thomas, 18 Gabe Hawley, 19 Jac Price, 20 Dan Davis, 21 Dane Blacker, 22 Joe Hawkins, 23 Ioan Jones.
[Lead image: Scarlets Rugby]
