Glasgow v Scarlets: Teams

Glasgow Warriors will step up their bid to reach the end-of-season play-offs when they entertain the Scarlets on Thursday.

The Warriors are currently in the final of the top-four places - although the Scarlets are hot on their heels and just one point behind.

Sean Lineen's men might have lost the reverse fixture 16-14, but they are a tough nut to crack at home having won sixth of their seven games at Firhill.

Glasgow will also be bolstered by a number of their Scotland A internationals while Graeme Morrison, Dougie Hall, Jon Welsh, Tom Ryder and Rob Harley - part of the wider training squad for the RBS Six Nations - are all free to play.

Talented fly-half Ruaridh Jackson also returns to action for the first time since the defeat at the Parc y Scarlets.

"As I've underlined many times already this week, the Scarlets game is huge for us," said head Lineen.

Talented

"They're a very talented and savvy team who have their own play-off aspirations. It's vital we kick off this next phase in our season in the best possible fashion, and it's going to take a big performance from every single player to achieve that."

The Scarlets have kept faith in the majority of the starting XV that lost to Sale in the LV=Cup last time out.

The only changes come in the pack with prop Iestyn Thomas and flanker Josh Turnbull both returning from injury.

Skills coach Marc Jones said: "We're hurting a bit after losing to Sale so I'm expecting some bounce back from these players and we know it's going to be tough and a hard-fought game but there's plenty to play for.

"We've keep the team tight this week in terms of our preparation and selection it's important to maintain that continuity and focus when you have such a tight turnaround.

"Glasgow are a formidable side - many a good side has fallen to their sword up there whether they have a first team out or not."

Glasgow: 15 Peter Murchie, 14 Tommy Seymour, 13 Troy Nathan, 12 Graeme Morrison (c), 11 David Lemi, 10 Ruaridh Jackson, 9 Henry Pyrgos, 8 Ryan Wilson, 7 Chris Fusaro, 6 Rob Harley, 5 Tom Ryder, 4 Rob Verbakel, 3 Jon Welsh, 2 Dougie Hall, 1 Ryan Grant.
Replacements: 16 Fergus Thomson, 17 Gordon Reid, 18 George Hunter, 19 Nick Campbell, 20 Calum Forrester, 21 Murray McConnell, 22 Alex Dunbar, 23 Scott Wight.

Scarlets: 15 Dan Newton, 14 Viliami Iongi, 13 Gareth Maule (capt), 12 Adam Warren, 11 Andy Fenby, 10 Aled Thomas, 9 Gareth Davies,8 Matt Gilbert, 7 Johnathan Edwards, 6 Josh Turnbull, 5 Dominic Day 4 Sione Timani, 3 Peter Edwards,2 Emyr Phillips ,1 Iestyn Thomas.
Replacements: 16 Craig Hawkins, 17 Rhodri Jones, 18 Simon Gardiner, 19 Damian Welch, 20 Kieran Murphy, 21 Liam Davies, 22 Nick Reynolds, 23 Daniel Evans.