Scarlets v Glasgow: Teams

Sean Lamont: On the wing against Glasgow

The Scarlets will look to build on their strong Christmas performances when they host Glasgow at Parc y Scarlets on Saturday.

The Llanelli-based side have recorded only one loss in their last seven PRO12 contests, with victories in both their recent derby fixtures and a record of five wins out of six at home so far this season.

The Scarlets did the double on Glasgow last season and have faired well against Scottish clubs, winning their last five matches.

But Glasgow are themselves unbeaten in their last four fixtures against Welsh opponents and strong performances this season places them third in the league - three places above Saturday's opponents.

The Scarlets field a strong and attacking back-line with George North and Scottish international Sean Lamont on the wing, Jon Davies and Scott Williams in the centres, Rhys Priestland at outside half and Gareth Davies at scrum-half.

Hooker Matthew Rees leads the side, with Iestyn Thomas returning to the front row and Deacon Manu starting at tighthead. Forwards Ken Owens, Rhys Thomas, Josh Turnbull, Aaron Shingler and Rhodri Jones are replacements.

Meanwhile, Glasgow hooker Fergus Thomson will make his first appearance of the season, having recovered from the shoulder injury which forced him to withdraw from the Scotland squad for the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

The change is one of seven to the Warriors side that beat Edinburgh on New Year's Day, with Rob Dewey lining up at outside centre in place of Stuart Hogg, who was called up to Scotland's Six Nations squad on Thursday.

Tommy Seymour replaces Colin Shaw on the wing while Henry Pyrgos and Ruaridh Jackson team up in an all-new half-back pairing.

In the second row, Tom Ryder and Rob Verbakel reprise their partnership while Graeme Morrison will captain the team in the absence of Al Kellock.

Scottish Rugby Elite Development scrum-half Murray McConnell, meanwhile, is in line to make his Warriors debut from the bench.

Glasgow have won on two of their previous ventures to Parc y Scarlets, but emerged on the wrong side of the scoreline in each of last season's meetings with Nigel Davies' men.

Scarlets: 15 Dan Newton, 14 George North, 13 Scott Williams, 12 Jonathan Davies, 11 Sean Lamont, 10 Rhys Priestland, 9 Gareth Davies, 8 Ben Morgan, 7 Johnathan Edwards, 6 Rob McCusker, 5 Dominic Day, 4 Lou Reed, 3 Deacon Manu, 2 Matthew Rees, 1 Iestyn Thomas.
Replacements: 16 Ken Owens, 17 Rhodri Jones, 18 Rhys Thomas, 19 Josh Turnbull, 20 Aaron Shingler, 21 Rhodri Williams, 22 Stephen Jones, 23 Viliame Iongi.

Glasgow Warriors: 15 Peter Murchie, 14 Tommy Seymour, 13 Rob Dewey, 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 Moray Low, 2 Fergus Thomson, 1 Jon Welsh.
Replacements: 16 Finlay Gillies, 17 Gordon Reid, 18 Ed Kalman, 19 Calum Forrester, 20 Johnnie Beattie, 21 Murray McConnell, 22 Alex Dunbar, 23 Scott Wight.