Scarlets v Ulster: Teams

The Scarlets welcome four Wales internationals back to their squad for the visit of Ulster.

Jonathan Davies, Ken Owens and Matthew Rees all come back into contention, while scrum-half Martin Roberts has been released from the Wales squad for the rest of the Six Nations and starts on the bench.

Coach Nigel Davies has also named some of the club's emerging talent in his side, with Tavis Knoyle, Dan Newton and Joe Ajuwa all starting.

And Davies knows his side cannot afford to slip up against the Ulstermen.

"Of course we are under no illusions what a hugely important game this one is, we are not hiding from it. We have just got to win this game," said Davies.

"We were frustrated with the result out in Leinster - not in the manner of our performance which was positive, but that we let a game slip through our hands that we were in control of and had plenty of opportunities to finish off.

"We have to move forward within this transition period, they're a young group but we must learn lessons from these matches and improve.

"There is plenty about this squad, good structure, some very good individuals and there is great intent and effort and if we take our opportunities we will produce the results. It's about managing key moments and better communication on the pitch."

Fight

Ulster are currently sixth in the Magners League, but remain in the hint for the play-offs.

However McLaughlin knows ninth-placed Scarlets can upset their hopes of finishing the season in the top four.

McLaughlin said: "It is going to be an exceptionally tough game, the Scarlets at their home ground, in the Magners League. It doesn't matter who you play at this stage, all these games are tough to win.

"We are playing at the Parc y Scarlets, we were there a couple of weeks ago with the Ravens, so we know what to expect. It is going to be a hard match; they will make us fight for every blade of grass.

"We have got to play out of our socks and be mentally prepared, if we are going to come away with the win, which we really need."

Tom Court returns to the front with Nigel Brady, while Dan Tuohy moves to blind side flanker with Ed O'Donoghue and Ryan Caldwell teaming-up in the second row.

In the backs, Timoci Nagusa starts on the wing, with Scotland international Simon Danielli starting the match on the bench.

Scarlets: 15 Dan Newton, 14 Joe Ajuwa, 13 Regan King, 12 Jonathan Davies 11 Andy Fenby, 10 Rhys Priestland, 9 Tavis Knoyle, 1 Iestyn Thomas, 2 Ken Owens, 3 Deacon Manu, 4 Lou Reed, 5 Dominic Day, 6 Josh Turnbull, 7 Richie Pugh 8 David Lyons (capt).
Replacements: 16 Phil John, 17 Matthew Rees, 18 Rob McCusker, 19 Johnathan Edwards, 20 Martin Roberts, 21 Daniel Evans, 22 Gareth Maule

Ulster: 15 Jamie Smith, 14 Timoci Nagusa, 13 Darren Cave, 12 Paddy Wallace, 11 Andrew Trimble, 10 Ian Humphreys, 9 Isaac Boss, 8 Chris Henry (c), 7 David Pollock, 6 Dan Tuohy, 5 Ryan Caldwell, 4 Ed O'Donoghue, 3 Brendan Botha, 2 Nigel Brady, 1 Tom Court.
Replacements: 16 Andi Kyriacou, 17 Bryan Young, 18 Robbie Diack, 19 Willie Faloon, 20 Paul Marshall, 21 Niall O'Connor, 22 Simon Danielli.