Scarlets v Leinster: Teams

Scarlets boss Nigel Davies has announced his strongest available starting line-up to face Heineken Cup champions Leinster on Saturday.

Billed by the head coach as the "biggest game the region has faced in three years", the pool leaders will be desperate for victory that would make life very difficult for the Irish province.

And Davies has insisted that his group of young players are ready for the European clash and can step up alongside senior players Sean Lamont, David Lyons, Simon Easterby, Deacon Manu and Stephen Jones this weekend.

"They have grown as players over the last twelve months and this is a great challenge for them, but this is why they play rugby, for games like this. It is the difference between wanting to be and being a professional rugby player," he said, speaking to the region's website.

"There is a lot of pressure on these players to perform and we will be putting a lot of pressure on them ourselves. They have to front up.

Home advantage

"There are big expectations on them and they realise that it's a big test but I have great belief in this group. They know what they have to do and they are looking forward to it.

"It will be a special occasion next Saturday, lots of intensity, a big noisy Parc y Scarlets crowd and the more people we can have backing us the better.

"A big home crowd is important for us. Both sides know they have to win the game and the home advantage is something we have to play with. And when our great Scarlets supporters really get going it can make a big difference."

Meanwhile, Jamie Heaslip will make his 100th Leinster appearance for the province in Llanelli and is named in a strong line-up which includes nine Ireland internationals.

The number eight starts alongside Kevin McLaughlin and Sean O'Brien in the back-row, with skipper Leo Cullen starts alongside Scotland lock Nathan Hines.

Gordon D'Arcy partners Brian O'Driscoll at centre, with Rob Kearney starting at full-back in an exciting back three alongside Shane Horgan and Isa Nacewa, with Eoin Reddan partnering Shaun Berne at half-back.

Stan Wright returns from injury for the first time in two months and takes his place on the bench alongside Ireland internationals Bernard Jackman, Mike Ross, Malcolm O'Kelly and Girvan Dempsey.

Scarlets: 15 Daniel Evans, 14 Andy Fenby, 13 Sean Lamont, 12 Jonathan Davies, 11 Lee Williams, 10 Stephen Jones, 9 Martin Roberts, 8 David Lyons (capt), 7 Richie Pugh, 6 Simon Easterby, 5 Dominic Day, 4 Lou Reed, 3 Deacon Manu, 2 Ken Owens, 1 Iestyn Thomas.
Replacements: 16 Emyr Phillips, 17 Phil John, 18 Jamie Corsi, 19 Vernon Cooper, 20 Rob McCusker, 21 Tavis Knoyle, 22 Rhys Priestland, 23 Gareth Maule.

Leinster: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Shane Horgan, 13 Brian O'Driscoll, 12 Gordon D'Arcy, 11 Isa Nacewa, 10 Shaun Berne, 9 Eoin Reddan, 8 Jamie Heaslip, 7 Sean O'Brien, 6 Kevin McLaughlin, 5 Nathan Hines, 4 Leo Cullen (capt), 3 CJ van der Linde, 2 John Fogarty, 1 Cian Healy.
Replacements: 16 Bernard Jackman, 17 Mike Ross, 18 Stan Wright, 19 Malcolm O'Kelly, 20 Stephen Keogh, 21 Paul O'Donohoe, 22 Fergus McFadden, 23 Girvan Dempsey.