Scarlets show four changes for Connacht test

Scarlets take on Connacht at Parc y Scarlets on Friday night (19:35; BBC Wales) showing four personnel changes from the side that took the field against Cardiff last weekend.

Head coach Dwayne Peel has welcomed back Sam Lousi and Ioan Nicholas from injury and both go straight into the starting XV.

Nicholas, fans player of the season last term, slots in at full-back. Tom Rogers and Blair Murray continue on the wings.

Eddie James comes in at inside centre, Johnny Williams moves to the No. 13 jersey and Macs Page is named among the replacements.

Gareth Davies and Sam Costelow link up again at half-back.

In the pack, Alec Hepburn, Ryan Elias and Henry Thomas continue en bloc in the front row; Tongan international Lousi partners Max Douglas at lock, while there is a reshuffle in the back row with Dan Davis named at openside flanker and skipper Josh Macleod switching to blindside.

Kemsley Mathias has overcome the injury which forced him to withdraw following the warm-up against Cardiff and takes his place among the replacements. Carwyn Tuipulotu also comes into the match-day 23.

Peel said:  “We know Connacht’s DNA is to play with good structure, good shape and with ball in hand. They have power up front and are difficult to break down. It was an entertaining game in Galway last season and I’m expecting the same between two highly competitive sides.We’re looking forward to that challenge.”

Scarlets team to play Connacht on Friday, October 4 (7.35pm BBC Wales)

15 Ioan Nicholas; 14 Tom Rogers, 13 Johnny Williams, 12 Eddie James, 11 Blair Murray; 10 Sam Costelow, 9 Gareth Davies; 1 Alec Hepburn, 2 Ryan Elias, 3 Henry Thomas, 4 Sam Lousi, 5 Max Douglas, 6 Josh Macleod (capt), 7 Dan Davis, 8 Taine Plumtree.

Reps: 16 Marnus van der Merwe. 17 Kemsley Mathias, 18 Sam Wainwright, 19 Alex Craig, 20 Carwyn Tuipulotu, 21 Efan Jones, 22 Ioan Lloyd, 23 Macs Page.

Unavailable because of injury

Tomi Lewis, Joe Roberts, Steff Evans, Harri O’Connor, Shaun Evans, Archie Hughes, Vaea Fifita, Ed Scragg.