Scarlets v Bristol: Teams

The Scarlets have opted against resting any players after their Heineken Cup exploits as they prepare to face Bristol in the EDF Energy Cup on Friday.

The Welsh outfit have named a team that will feature three key Welsh internationals and a host of others.

The match will also be the last-ever game of rugby played at Stradey Park and is set to be an emotional occasion.

Morgan Stoddart and Mark Jones, who have proved such a devastating combination at the back recently, keep their places, as does Stephen Jones at fly-half.

The first-choice centre pairing of Gavin Evans and Regan King is also retained, and the only changes in the backs to the team that lost to Stade Françaisare Rob Higgitt's promotion at the expense of the injured Darren Daniel, and Sililo Martens at scrum-half for Mark Roberts.

Retained

Up front, Nathan Thomas comes in at flank for namesake Gavin, Vernon Cooper replaces dafydd jones at lock, and Ken Owens replaces Matthew Rees at hooker.

Meanwhile, only Lee Robinson is retained for Bristol from the team that started against Toulon last week.

A number of players have returned from injury, the likes of Anthony Elliot, Junior Fatialofa and Darren Crompton which increase coach Richard Hill's selection options.

Of note in the backline is the fact that Anthony Elliott will make his first start of the season and will do so at full-back and not on the wing.

In addition, Mat Turner, who made his debut in this competition against Northampton on October 4, scoring two tries in the process, returns on the left wing.

Spirit

Up front, Darren Crompton makes his first start of the season after successfuly coming through a 20-minute replacement appearance against Toulon at the Memorial Stadium and Matt Salter returns on the flank to skipper the side.

Hill acknowledged when he named his team that the excellent performance and victory over Toulon was a real boost.

"The spirit in the camp has been excellent despite a run of defeats but the win against Toulon really helped to lift everyone. There were a few more smiles on Monday!" he said.

"I've made some changes because we genuinely have great competition for places across the side and I want to see what a number of players can do in a game situation.

"We're looking to build on the winning performance against Toulon, trying to produce the same end product and see individuals staking a claim for a regular spot."

Scarlets: 15 Morgan Stoddart, 14 Rob Higgitt, 13 Regan King, 12 Gavin Evans, 11 Mark Jones, 10 Stephen Jones; 9 Sililo Martens, 8 David Lyons, 7 Simon Easterby (c), 6 Nathan Thomas, 5 Dominic Day, 4 Vernon Cooper, 3 Kees Meeuws, 2 Ken Owens, 1 Iestyn Thomas.
Replacements:16 Phil John, 17 Matthew Rees, 18 Dafydd Jones, 19 Johnathan Edwards, 20 Martin Roberts, 21 Ceiron Thomas, 22 Jon Davies.

Bristol: 15 Anthony Elliott, 14 Lee Robinson, 13 Luke Eves, 12 Junior Fatialofa, 11 Mat Turner, 10 Chris Ashwin; 9 Haydn Thomas, 8 Andrew Blowers, 7 Redford Pennycook, 6 Matt Salter (c), 5 Robert Sidoli, 4 Mariano Sambucetti, 3 Darren Crompton, 2 Scott Linklater, 1 Mark Irish.
Replacements: 16 David Blaney, 17 Peter Bracken, 18 Dave Attwood, 19 Chevvy Pennycook, 20 Sam Alford, 21 Kevin Maggs, 22 Greg Barden.