Guinness PRO12: Scarlets v Zebre preview

DTH van der Merwe is one of just two players in the backline to retain his place

Scarlets coach Wayne Pivac has made 10 changes to his side for Sunday's visit of Zebre in the Guinness PRO12.

Maselino Paulino is the only player in the tight five to retain his place, and is the only positional change in Pivac's starting XV.

Aaron Shingler and James Davies are in the back row alongside No 8 John Barclay, who captains the side.

DTH van der Merwe and Kiwi Hadleigh Parkes hold onto their starting jerseys in the backline, while there is a new half-back combination in Aled Davies and Aled Thomas. Regan King, Tom Williams and Steff Evans are the other three changes to the backs.

Scarlets are currently third in the competition following six wins from the opening seven rounds of the tournament, standing a single point behind Munster and two points behind league leaders Connacht.

"Zebre have some personnel they didn't have last year and didn't play against us in the first game," said Pivac.

"They rely heavily on the set piece and we have to make sure we're up to the task.

"They're a lot stronger and have two wins under their belts against two sides that aren't too shabby. They've definitely improved and it's good for the competition."

Scarlets: 15 Steffan Evans, 14 Tom Williams, 13 Regan King, 12 Hadleigh Parkes, 11 DTH van der Merwe, 10 Aled Thomas, 9 Aled Davies; 1 Rob Evans, 2 Emyr Phillips, 3 Samson Lee, 4 Maselino Paulino, 5 Lewis Rawlins, 6 Aaron Shingler, 7 James Davies, 8 John Barclay (c).

Replacements: 16 Kirby Myhill, 17 Dylan Evans, 18 Rhodri Jones, 19 George Earle, 20 Jack Condy, 21 Rhodri Williams, 22 Steve Shingler, 23 Gareth Owen.

Zebre: 15 Guglielmo Palazzani, 14 Dion Berryman, 13 Giulio Bisegni, 12 Matteo Pratichetti, 11 Kayle van Zyl, 10 Carlo Canna, 9 Luke Burgess; 1 Andrea Lovotti, 2 Andrea Manici, 3 Pietro Ceccarelli, 4 Valerio Bernabò, 5 George Biagi (c), 6 Jacopo Sarto, 7 Paul Derbyshire, 8 Andries van Schalkwyk.

Replacements: 16 Oliviero Fabiani, 17 Andrea De Marchi, 18 Guillermo Roan, 19 Marco Bortolami, 20 Federico Ruzza, 21 Filippo Ferrarini, 22 Tommaso Boni, 23 Edoardo Padovani.