British Lions and Wales international hooker, Matthew Rees returns to the Scarlets starting line-up for Sunday’s Magners League game against Connacht at Parc y Scarlets (KO 2.05pm).
This is a game viewed by the region as a chance for the home side to restore pride at the end of the season.
Stephen Jones is ruled out with a minor ankle injury and hopes to be back next week for the final game of the season against Glasgow. Richie Pugh also doesn’t make the fitness race after picking up a shoulder injury against Cardiff Blues.
Rhys Priestland comes back at outside half with Martin Roberts starting at scrum-half ahead of Tavis Knoyle, lock Damian Welch gets a chance to impress while prop Iestyn Thomas is back in the Scarlets XV.
Head Coach Nigel Davies said; “We have had a very focused and honest week and as a group got to the core of some issues regarding our last two performances which we have been very disappointed with.
“We dropped off the level of performance we are capable of and need to get back on our feet quickly and return where we have been previously this season, particularly in our European campaign which has in the main been really positive given where this group is in its development.
“We are very disappointed with our league position, and while we know we have come close to wins on so many occasions – ultimately the table does not lie.
“We want to put that right this weekend and we know we have just got to put in two massive performances at the end of the season to show people what we are capable of and to excite our supporters again going into next season.
“We need to get some respect back for ourselves as a team and for our support, which has been great this season home and away.”
Scarlets: 15 Daniel Evans, 14 Sean Lamont, 13 Regan King, 12 Jonathan Davies 11 Andy Fenby, 10 Rhys Priestland, 9 Martin Roberts, 1 Iestyn Thomas, 2 Matthew Rees, 3 Rhys Thomas, 4 Lou Reed, 5 Damian Welch, 6 Rob McCusker, 7 Josh Turnbull, 8 David Lyons (capt).
Replacements: 16 Phil John, 17 Emyr Phillips, 18 Deacon Manu 19 Dominic Day, 20 Tavis Knoyle, 21 Dan Newton, 22 Lee Williams.
Connacht: 15 Liam Bibo 14 Tiernan O’Halloran 13 Eoin Griffin 12 Troy Nathan 11 Brian Tuohy 10 Ian Keatley 9 Conor O’Loughlin: 8 Mike McComish 7 Ray Ofisa 6 Andrew Browne 5 Bernie Upton 4 Dave Nolan 3 Robbie Morris 2 Adrian Flavin 1 Ronan Loughney
Replacements: 16 Dermot Murphy 17 Conor Higgins 18 Eoin McKeown 19 Johnny O’Connor 20 Kieran Campbell 21 Miah Nikora 22 Aidan Wynne
