Scarlets v Ospreys: Teams

Jon Davies and Ken Owens have been ruled out of Scarlets side for the visit of the Ospreys.

Centre Davies has sprained his ankle while hooker Owens has injured his arm.

However talented backs Gareth Maule and Daniel Evans come into the side while internationals Stephen Jones, Matthew Rees, David Lyons, Sean Lamont, Iestyn Thomas and Deacon Manu are all available.

Head coach Nigel Davies said: "Jon has been in great form and while it's disappointing that he and Ken Owens haven't quite made the fitness race, it's important we don't push them and that they recover properly for some big matches ahead of us in October.

"We have always been comfortable to push forward our talent and give players exposure to the big games. Gareth Maule, Dan Evans and Scott Williams are three Scarlets who will relish taking their opportunities in this derby and have a lot to offer."

The Ospreys will be without Tom Smith, Sonny Park and Ian Evans for the all-Welsh derby.

Head coach Sean Holley said: "It should be a great game. We've been building week on week, reintegrating the players that have been on a delayed pre-season, and we are starting to get back up to strength in terms of players returning.

"It's a difficult challenge, getting everybody back into the team, getting them game time and making allowances for individual conditioning programmes, but it's something that we used to and history over the last few seasons suggests that we've got it right. It's a challenge that we want to have, it means that we are continuing to contribute players to the various national teams.

"As a squad we need to step up several notches now from where we were last weekend. The Scarlets have had a good start to the season and enjoyed a convincing win over the Dragons last week so they will no doubt be full of confidence as they welcome us to their place for such a big derby game."

Scarlets: 15 Daniel Evans, 14 George North, 13, Regan King, 12 Gareth Maule, 11 Sean Lamont, 10 Stephen Jones, 9 Tavis Knoyle, 8 David Lyons, 7 Johnathan Edwards, 6 Josh Turnbull, 5 Dominic Day, 4 Lou Reed, 3 Deacon Manu, 2 Matthew Rees (capt), 1 Iestyn Thomas.
Replacements: 16 Emyr Phillips, 17 Phil John, 18 Rhys Thomas, 19 Jonny Fa'amatuainu, 20 Rob McCusker, 21 Martin Roberts, 22 Scott Williams, Rhys Priestland.

Ospreys: 15 Lee Byrne, 14 Richard Fussell, 13 Tommy Bowe, 12 Andrew Bishop, 11 Shane Williams, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Mike Phillips, 8 Jonathan Thomas, 7 Marty Holah, 6 Jerry Collins, 5 Alun Wyn Jones (capt), 4 Ian Gough, 3 Adam Jones, 2 Richard Hibbard, 1 Paul James
Replacements: 16 Huw Bennett, 17 Ryan Bevington, 18 Craig Mitchell, 19 Ryan Jones, 20 Justin Tipuric, 21 Jamie Nutbrown, 22 James Hook, 23 Nikki Walker.