Scarlets team to play Ospreys

Scarlets name side to take on Ospreys

Scarlets have named a side showing just two personnel changes for Saturday’s  BKT United Rugby Championship West Wales derby against the Ospreys in Swansea (17:15; BBC Wales & Premier Sports).

Ioan Lloyd and Eddie James come into the starting line-up as Scarlets look to build on last weekend’s EPCR Challenge Cup win over Black Lion in Llanelli.

In the back three, Lloyd is handed the No.15 jersey, replacing Ioan Nicholas. Tom Rogers starts on the right wing, while Ellis Mee continues on the left wing. Blair Murray is ruled out with a hamstring issue.

James gets the nod in midfield to partner Johnny Williams, who moves to outside centre. Joe Roberts drops to the bench, while Sam Costelow and Gareth Davies link up at half-back once again.

The pack is the same as the one that took the field against Black Lion.

Kemsley Mathias, Marnus van der Merwe and Henry Thomas make up the front row, Max Douglas and Sam Lousi combine in the second row. Taine Plumtree, skipper Josh Macleod and Vaea Fifita form the back row.

Alex Craig, who missed last Sunday’s game because of illness, comes into the match-day 23.

He is joined on the bench by Shaun Evans, Alec Hepburn, Archer Holz, Jarrod Taylor, Archie Hughes, Roberts and Nicholas.

Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel said: “Derbies bring a different type of intensity and emotion.  Nothing gets your blood going like a West Wales derby. As soon as the game was finished on Sunday, all the focus was switched to this game. It is a fantastic occasion, brings rivalry, bragging rights. I have been lucky to be part of it as a coach and as a player – some great teams and players have played in these fixtures.”

Scarlets team to play Ospreys at Swansea.com Stadium on Saturday, December 21 (5.15pm UK time; BBC Wales & Premier Sport)

15 Ioan Lloyd; 14 Tom Rogers , 13 Johnny Williams, 12 Eddie James, 11 Ellis Mee; 10 Sam Costelow, 9 Gareth Davies; 1 Kemsley Mathias, 2 Marnus van der Merwe, 3 Henry Thomas, 4 Max Douglas 5 Sam Lousi, 6 Taine Plumtree, 7 Josh Macleod (capt), 8 Vaea Fifita.

Reps: 16 Shaun Evans, 17 Alec Hepburn, 18 Archer Holz, 19 Alex Craig, 20 Jarrod Taylor, 21 Archie Hughes, 22 Joe Roberts, 23 Ioan Nicholas.

Unavailable because of injury

Sam Wainwright, Dan Davis, Ryan Elias, Blair Murray, Tomi Lewis, Steff Evans, Harri O’Connor, Josh Morse.