Edinburgh v Scarlets: Teams

Edinburgh head coach Rob Moffat has made six changes to his side ahead of their Magners League clash with Scarlets at Murrayfield on Saturday.

Captain Roddy Grant is rested meaning Chris Paterson, who comes in at full-back after missing both of the recent 1872 Cup matches with Glasgow through injury, will skipper the side.

Centre Nick De Luca makes his first start of the season while Scotland scrum-half Mike Blair takes his place in the starting XV at the expense of Greig Laidlaw after recovering from an elbow problem.

Meanwhile, Scott MacLeod returns from his suspension to come back into the second row, while Alan MacDonald replaces Ross Rennie at openside flanker and Stuart McInally starts at six.

"We're delighted to come into the Scarlets game on the back of a good win against Glasgow, and while we certainly take a lot of confidence from that result, it's vital everyone understands that this is another huge challenge," Moffat said.

Crucial

"It's the first of a number of massive tests coming up over the next few weeks and it's crucial that we establish momentum to take into those other matches."

The Scarlets, who are currently second in the league standings, welcome back Wales fly-half Stephen Jones on the bench while Lou Reed goes straight back into the startling line-up at lock.

However, the visitors will have to cope without Ken Owens (neck), Josh Turnbull (shoulder) and Rob McCusker (shoulder), who failed late fitness tests.

Richie Pugh gets his first start of the season in the back row, with Jonny Fa'amatuainu continuing in the other flanker spot.

In the backs, Morgan Stoddart switches to full-back from the wing, with in-form centre Gareth Maule moving out wide and Regan King and Jon Davies reuniting in the centres.

Edinburgh: 15 Chris Paterson, 14 Lee Jones, 13 Nick De Luca, 12 John Houston, 11 Tim Visser, 10 David Blair, 9 Mike Blair, 8 Netani Talei, 7 Alan MacDonald, 6 Stuart McInally, 5 Fraser McKenzie, 4 Scott MacLeod, 3 Geoff Cross, 2 Ross Ford, 1 Allan Jacobsen.
Replacements: 16 Andrew Kelly, 17 Kyle Traynor, 18 David Young, 19 Craig Hamilton, 20 Scott Newlands, 21 Greig Laidlaw, 22 James King, 23 Simon Webster.

Scarlets: 15 Morgan Stoddart, 14 Gareth Maule, 13 Regan King, 12 Jon Davies, 11 Sean Lamont, 10 Rhys Priestland, 9 Tavis Knoyle, 8 David Lyons, 7 Richie Pugh, 6 Jonny Fa'amatuainu, 5 Lou Reed, 4 Vernon Cooper, 3 Simon Gardiner, 2 Matthew Rees (capt), 1 Phil John.
Replacements: 16 Emyr Phillips, 17 Iestyn Thomas, 18 Rhodri Jones, 19 Damian Welch, 20 Ben Morgan, 21 Martin Roberts, 22 Stephen Jones, 23 Lee Williams.