Former Newport Gwent Dragons midfielder Gareth Maule is set to make his Magners League debut for the Scarlets on Saturday when his new region tackle Munster (KO 6.30pm).
Maule is one of three changes made to Nigel Davies’s side which lost to Glasgow last weekend. Former skipper Simon Easterby returns at flanker while prop Rhys Thomas returns at prop.
Davies is eagerly anticipating Saturday’s challenge as his side bid to continue their Parc y Scarlets winning start after an opening day victory over Leinster.
“As a group we’ve trained well this week and are up for Saturday. The big challenge against Munster will be their physicality – they’re honest and basic in their game plan and they bring huge intensity to the contact area.
“We want to play with quick ball and I think we’re starting to show people what we can do when we create that, but Munster will want to stop us having that ball so that’s going to be one hell of an area this weekend.”
Munster have named an unchanged extended squad after victory over the Cardiff Blues at Limerick’s Thomond Park on Friday night.
Scarlets: 15 Daniel Evans, 14 Sean Lamont, 13 Gareth Maule, 12 Jonathan Davies, 11 Mark Jones (c), 10 Rhys Priestland, 9 Martin Roberts, 1 Iestyn Thomas, 2 Ken Owens, 3 Rhys Thomas, 4 Lou Reed, 5 Dominic Day, 6 Simon Easterby, 7 Dafydd Jones, 8 David Lyons. Reps – 16 Phil John, 17 Emyr Phillips, 18 Deacon Manu, 19 Vernon Cooper, 20 Richie Pugh, 21 Lee Williams, 22 Dan Newton.
Munster: Danny Barnes, Felix Jones, Scott Deasy, Denis Hurley, Doug Howlett, Barry Murphy, Tom Gleeson, Lifeimi Mafi, Jeremy Manning, Toby Morland, Peter Stringer, Marcus Horan, Tony Buckley, Julian Brugnaut, John Hayes, Denis Fogarty, Damian Varley, Mick O’Driscoll, Donnacha Ryan, Alan Quinlan, Billy Holland, Tommy O’Donnell, Niall Ronan, Denis Leamy, James Coughlan.
