Scarlets v Dragons: Teams

The Scarlets will welcome back Jonathan Davies to the starting line-up when they take on the Dragons in the first Welsh derby of 2011 on New Year's Day.

The hosts at Parc y Scarlets currently sit third in the Magners League table but suffered a heavy 60-17 defeat to the Ospreys last time out.

However, they have lost only once at home this season and will be looking for a third straight double over the Dragons after winning the last five contests between the two sides.

Centre Davies has scored tries in six out of six games this season and so is likely to be warmly welcomed back to the starting XV.

Flanker Jonathan Edwards is unavailable due to a hamstring injury, with Rob McCusker coming into the back row as a result, while young scrum-half Tavis Knoyle replaces Martin Roberts.

The home crowd will have the chance to show their appreciation to hooker Ken Owen and flanker Josh Turnbull, who recently passed 100 and 50 appearances for the team respectively.

Fly-half and kicker Rhys Priestland is also on the verge of a landmark as he currently lies one point short of reaching his century for the season.

Hooker Tom Willis returns to captain the Dragons side while Jason Tovey, Danny Lydiate, Will Harries and Luke Charteris are all also brought back into the starting line-up.

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

Dragons: 15 W Harries, 14 A Hughes, 13 T Riley, 12 A Smith, 11 A Brew, 10 J Tovey, 9 W Evans; 8 T Faletau 7 G Thomas, 6 D Lydiate, 5 S Morgan, 4 L Charteris, 3 B Castle, 2 T Willis (capt), 1 H Gustafson
Replacements: 16 S Jones, 17 P Palmer, 18 P Price, 19 A Jones, 20 L Evans, 21 P Leach, 22 J Evans, 23 M Jones.