Scarlets v Munster: Teams
The Scarlets will look to keep alive their RaboDirect PRO12 play-off chances when they tackle Munster on Saturday.
Last Updated: 20/04/12 5:30pm
The Scarlets will look to keep alive their RaboDirect PRO12 play-off chances when they tackle Munster on Saturday.
The Scarlets are currently in sixth place, just two points off the final play-off berth - and five points behind Munster in third.
And having failed to beat Munster this season, Scarlets boss Nigel Davies is expecting a massive encounter at Parc y Scarlets.
"This is a huge fixture for us and we are expecting international level intensity and we have to be right up there in terms of our performance, Munster bring such a big game for 80 minutes, we know what a tough side they are to beat," said Davies.
Marker
"There's so much in this game for us - not withstanding that they have proved an almost impossible side for us to win against in the past and that will give them a psychological edge over us and it will be a big barrier we have to overcome.
"We need to put a marker down against them now and the boys know that they came very close to beating them twice in the Heineken Cup this season. It was very fine margins that let us down - our Scarlets players have a point to prove now and if the importance of this fixture wasn't big enough anyway - our record against Munster is motivation enough."
Davies will be buoyed by the inclusion of George North, Stephen Jones, Matthew Rees and Deacon Manu, however Jonathan Davies has been ruled out for the rest of the season.
Munster can virtually guarantee their place in the top four with victory - and coach Tony McGahan has made four changes for the trip.
Academy prop Dave Kilcoyne is handed his first start at loosehead and he is joined in the front row by BJ Botha.
Paul O'Connell replaces the benched Donncha O'Callaghan in the second row, while Conor Murray gets the nod at scrum-half.
Scarlets: 15 Liam Williams, 14 George North, 13 Adam Warren, 12 Stephen Jones, 11 Sean Lamont, 10 Rhys Priestland, 9 Gareth Davies, 8 Ben Morgan, 7 Josh Turnbull, 6 Aaron Shingler, 5 Dominic Day, 4 Sione Timani, 3 Deacon Manu, 2 Matthew Rees (capt), 1 Rhodri Jones.
Replacements: 16 Emyr Phillips, 17 Phil John, 18 Simon Gardiner, 19 Mat Gilbert, 20 Kieran Murphy, 21 Tavis Knoyle, 22 Jordan Williams, 23 Viliame Iongi.
Munster: 15 Felix Jones, 14 Luke O'Dea, 13 Johne Murphy, 12 Lifiemi Mafi, 11 Simon Zebo, 10 Ian Keatley, 9 Conor Murray, 8 Peter O'Mahony, 7 Tommy O'Donnell, 6 Donnacha Ryan, 5 Paul O'Connell (capt), 4 Mick O'Driscoll, 3 BJ Botha, 2 Mike Sherry, 1 Dave Kilcoyne.
Replacements: 16 Damien Varley, 17 Wian du Preez, 18 Stephen Archer, 19 Donncha O'Callaghan, 20 Peter Butler, 21 Tomas O'Leary, 22 Scott Deasy, 23 Ian Dineen.