Jonathan Davies to lead Scarlets into 2022-23 season

Jonathan Davies will captain the Scarlets for the 2022-23 season and will lead the side into Saturday’s BKT United Rugby Championship opener against the Ospreys at Parc y Scarlets (17:15; Premier Sports).

Davies, who heads into his 14th season with the club, skippers a match-day 23 containing 14 internationals.

Johnny McNicholl starts at full-back, with Tom Rogers and Ryan Conbeer providing the firepower on the wings.

Davies combines with Johnny Williams in midfield, while Sam Costelow and Gareth Davies get the nod at half-back for the season opener.

Steff Thomas wears the No. 1 jersey, Ryan Elias returns at hooker, while Javan Sebastian packs down at tight-head.

Sam Lousi joins his good friend Vaea Fifita in the second row with Fifita set for his competition debut.

Blade Thomson, Tomás Lezana and Sione Kalamafoni provide a dynamic back-row combination.

British & Irish Lion Wyn Jones, Daf Hughes and Harri O’Connor provide front row cover on the bench, while Tom Price and Josh Macleod make up the rest of the forward replacements. Kieran Hardy, Dan Jones and Corey Baldwin cover the backline.

Among those unavailable through injury are Aaron Shingler, Scott Williams and Steff Evans, while Ken Owens and Leigh Halfpenny are continuing their recoveries from long-term issues.

Head coach Dwayne Peel said: “I am sure every club will say the same, but we have worked hard in pre-season and I’m comfortable with where we are going into this game. The last time we played here (in URC) against the Stormers, we had a decent crowd, it was an exciting game and we need more of that. We have a duty to put on a show. If we can get a big crowd and support the guys, it will be fantastic.”

Scarlets team v Ospreys (Parc y Scarlets; 17:15 Premier Sports)

15 Johnny McNicholl; 14 Tom Rogers,13 Jonathan Davies, 12 Johnny Williams, 11 Ryan Conbeer; 10 Sam Costelow, 9 Gareth Davies; 1 Steff Thomas, 2 Ryan Elias, 3 Javan Sebastian, 4 Vaea Fifita, 5 Sam Lousi, 6 Blade Thomson, 7 Tomás Lezana, 8 Sione Kalamafoni.

Reps: 16 Daf Hughes, 17 Wyn Jones, 18 Harri O’Connor, 19 Tom Price, 20 Josh Macleod, 21 Kieran Hardy, 22 Dan Jones, 23 Corey Baldwin.

Unavailable

Ken Owens, Leigh Halfpenny, Aaron Shingler, Scott Williams, Steff Evans, Dan Davis, Phil Price, Lewis Rawlins, Joe Roberts, Jac Price, Shaun Evans, Carwyn Tuipulotu, Callum Williams, Kemsley Mathias.