Scarlets v Ulster: Teams

The Scarlets will welcome back four internationals for this Friday's key Magners League clash against Ulster.

With two crucial home games on the fixture list now for the fourth-placed Scarlets, wins on home soil against Ulster and next Thursday against Edinburgh would place them in a strong position in their play-off ambitions in the league.

The Scarlets have produced a winning formula at home this season taking victories and a draw in eight of their 11 home games this season - but they know face a close to full strength Ulster side, that will be frustrated with their one-point loss against the Ospreys last weekend.

The Irish side currently sit sixth in the league on 34 points, the Scarlets on 41 points.

Back into the Scarlets starting line-up comes Rhys Priestland at stand-off, Josh Turnbull and Rob McCusker in the back row, and Sean Lamont on the wing.

"We have to target our home games, we've said that all season and our form here has improved from last season. These next two games are key to our ambitions in the league," said Scarlets head coach Nigel Davies.

"It's a huge month for us, if we can get some results now in these next three games, it will go a long way to deciding whether we are in with a chance of a play-off place.

"We've had a big contribution and effort from our pack in recent games - it's an area of our game we've focused on and they have stood-up extremely well, given the number of injuries we've had - and we are hoping for further improvements.

The forwards will play a big part in these next league games and are key to our ability to be competitive at the top end of the league."

Five changes

Meanwhile, Brian McLaughlin has made five personnel changes to the Ulster starting line-up.

Ian Humphreys has shaken off a shoulder injury and is named at flyhalf despite leaving the field early against the Ospreys on Sunday. Andrew Trimble, Paddy Wallace and Tom Court go straight into the starting XV after being released from the Ireland squad.

Trimble takes up the right wing position with Craig Gilroy switching to the left and Simon Danielli dropping to the bench. Prop Tom Court takes the place of Bryan Young who will also start from the bench.

Paddy Wallace joins the in-form Nevin Spence in the centre, so Ian Whitten drops out of the match-day squad.

The other notable inclusions are TJ Anderson in the back row in place of Willie Faloon and Andi Kyriacou at hooker instead of Nigel Brady.

Johann Muller will again captain the side in the continued absence of Rory Best, who is still on Ireland duty along with Stephen Ferris.

Scarlets: 15 Daniel Evans, 14 Gareth Maule, 13 Regan King, 12 Scott Williams, 11 Sean Lamont, 10 Rhys Priestland, 9 Martin Roberts, 8 Ben Morgan, 7 Josh Turnbull, 6 Rob McCusker, 5 Lou Reed, 4 Vernon Cooper, 3 Rhys Thomas, 2 Emyr Phillips, 1 Iestyn Thomas
Replacements: 16 Rhys Lawrence, 17 Rhodri Jones, 18 Simon Gardiner, 19 Jonny Fa'amatuainu, 20 Johnathan Edwards, 21 Tavis Knoyle, 22 Dan Newton, 23 Joe Ajuwa

Ulster: 15 Adam D'Arcy, 14 Andrew Trimble, 13 Nevin Spence, 12 Paddy Wallace, 11 Craig Gilroy, 10 Ian Humphreys, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Pedrie Wannenburg, 7 Chris Henry, 6 TJ Anderson, 5 Tim Barker, 4 Johann Muller, 3 Declan Fitzpatrick, 2 Andi Kyriacou, 1 Tom Court
Replacements: 16 Nigel Brady, 17 Jerry Cronin, 18 Bryan Young, 19 Ryan Caldwell, 20 Robbie Diack, 21 Paul Marshall, 22 Luke Marshall, 23 Simon Danielli