Saturday's Guinness PRO12 team news

All the team news for Saturday's PRO12 action, including Ulster's trip to Irish rivals Connacht.

Scarlets v Ospreys (2.05pm)

Captain Ken Owens, John Barclay and Aaron Shingler make a return for Scarlets' derby clash with Ospreys on Boxing Day.

Aled Davies is named at scrum-half in the only change to the backline from the side that narrowly lost to Glasgow in last week's European Rugby Champions Cup clash, with Gareth Davies moving to the substitutes' bench.

Four changes to the pack see Owens, Shingler and Barclay replace Emyr Phillips, Maselino Paulino and Jack Condy with Lewis Rawlins moving from the back to second row.

"This is a very different proposition for us and a game that we're all looking forward to," said Pivac. "Ospreys have been playing very well and playing some good rugby. 

"They're going to be a big threat to us, they have some class players. What we won't be doing, and haven't done in our preparation, is take for granted the league standings.

"They had a slow start in the league campaign but they're coming good. There's a long way to go in this competition and some good sides will miss out on the play-off spots. 

"We're prepared for a dogfight come the end of the season but we want to give ourselves the best opportunity to push for the play-off positions come the end of the season."

Scarlets: 15 Michael Collins, 14 Steff Evans, 13 Gareth Owen, 12 Hadleigh Parkes, 11 DTH van der Merwe, 10 Aled Thomas, 9 Aled Davies, 1 Rob Evans, 2 Ken Owens (c), 3 Samson Lee, 4 Jake Ball, 5 Lewis Rawlins, 6 Aaron Shingler, 7 John Barclay, 8 Morgan Allen.

Replacements: 16 Emyr Phillips, 17 Phil John, 18 Rhodri Jones, 19 George Earle, 20 Jack Condy, 21 Gareth Davies, 22 Steve Shingler, 23 Regan King.

Ospreys: 15 Dan Evans, 14 Jeff Hassler, 13 Ben John, 12 Josh Matavesi, 11 Hanno Dirksen, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Tom Habberfield, 1 Paul James, 2 Scott Baldwin, 3 Dmitri Arhip, 4 Lloyd Ashley, 5 Alun Wyn Jones (c), 6 Dan Lydiate, 7 Justin Tipuric, 8 James King.

Replacements: 16 Sam Parry, 17 Nicky Smith, 18 Aaron Jarvis, 19 Rory Thornton, 20 Dan Baker, 21 Martin Roberts, 22 Sam Davies, 23 Eli Walker.

Connacht v Ulster (6pm)

Connacht coach Pat Lam has made 12 personnel and two positional changes for the visit of Ulster to the Sportsground on Boxing Day.

Tiernan O'Halloran takes his place in the No 15 jersey, while Craig Ronaldson is joined in the centre by the returning Bundee Aki.

Eoghan Masterson remains in the side, switching to No 8 to allow captain John Muldoon return at blindside flanker, while Academy flanker James Connolly completes the back-row.

Ultan Dillane and Aly Muldowney form the second row partnership behind the new front row trio of Finlay Bealham, Dave Heffernan and Ireland international Nathan White.

Lam says his side has been boosted by the return of their stars.

"It's great to have players back available this week in what is going to be a really big test for us," said Lam. "Ulster have always been tough opposition and this weekend will be no different. 

"When you look at what they have achieved already this season and what they are capable of, we know we will have to be clinical in everything we do to ensure we make the most of the opportunities we create.

"It's our first derby game at the Sportsground and there's going to be a huge crowd behind us."

Connacht: 15 Tiernan O'Halloran, 14 Niyi Adeolokun, 13 Bundee Aki, 12 Craig Ronaldson, 11 Matt Healy, 10 Jack Carty, 9 Kieran Marmion, 1 Finlay Bealham, 2 Dave Heffernan, 3 Nathan White, 4 Ultan Dillane, 5 Aly Muldowney, 6 John Muldoon (c), 7 James Connolly, 8 Eoghan Masterson.

Replacements: 16 Shane Delahunt, 17 Ronan Loughney, 18 Rodney Ah You, 19 Andrew Browne, 20 Sean O'Brien, 21 Ian Porter, 22 AJ MacGinty, 23 Rory Parata.

Ulster: 15 Louis Ludik, 14 Andrew Trimble, 13 Luke Marshall, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 Rory Scholes, 10 Paddy Jackson, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 1 Andy Warwick, 2 Rob Herring (c), 3 Wiehahn Herbst, 4 Alan O'Connor, 5 Franco van der Merwe, 6 Robbie Diack, 7 Sean Reidy, 8 Nick Williams.

Replacements: 16 John Andrew, 17 Callum Black, 18 Ricky Lutton, 19 Stephen Mulholland, 20 Roger Wilson, 21 Paddy Marshall, 22 Ian Humphreys, 23 Sammy Arnold.