Scarlets v Ulster: Teams
Both the Scarlets and Ulster will welcome a number of World Cup returnees back into the fold for their RaboDirect PRO12 clash.
Last Updated: 28/10/11 2:58pm
Both the Scarlets and Ulster will welcome a number of World Cup returnees back into the fold for their RaboDirect PRO12 clash at Parc y Scarlets on Saturday.
The Irish side are back in action after a two-week break during the opening rounds of LV= Cup fixtures and will be chasing a landmark 100th victory in the Celtic league.
The hosts, meanwhile, have won their last three in all competitions but will be hoping to kick-start their league season after some patchy form at the beginning of the campaign.
The Scarlets welcome back three of Wales' World Cup squad to their ranks, with hooker Ken Owens getting a start and scrum-half Tavis Knoyle and centre Scott Williams named among the replacements.
"This is a big game for us and we know how close we run with Ulster both in performance and how closely we'll compete in getting a top four spot," Scarlets head of rugby Nigel Davies said.
"The results against them will have an important bearing later on the four positions in the league and we're looking forward to Saturday's game."
Positive
He added: "It's been very positive to see how eager they've been to come back to the Scarlets group. To be able to feature players like Ken Owens, Tavis Knoyle and Scott Williams into our overall line-up this Saturday is a real boost.
"They're keen to get onto the field and haven't had as much game time as some of the others and are at the peak of their form, fitness and preparations so are energised and ready to get going in a Scarlets shirt again.
Ulster throw six of their World Cup contingent straight into the starting XV as head coach Brian McLaughlin making a total of seven changes along with two positional switches.
Johann Muller returns to captain the side from the second row, while Ireland prop Tom Court is named in the front row.
The back-row remains unchanged from the defeat to Treviso last time out, with Pedrie Wanneneburg and Mike McComish in the flanker spots and Chris Henry at number eight.
Returning Springbok Ruan Pienaar replaces Paul Marshall at scrum-half, with Ian Humphreys staying in the No.10 jersey and Paddy Wallace coming into the centres.
Andrew Trimble has been named on the wings, with Scotland's Simon Danielli starting at full-back.
Scarlets: 15 Daniel Evans, 14 Liam Williams, 13 Sean Lamont, 12 Adam Warren, 11 Andy Fenby, 10 Aled Thomas, 9 Rhodri Williams, 8 Ben Morgan, 7 Johnathan Edwards, 6 Rob McCusker (capt), 5 Damian Welch, 4 Dominic Day, 3 Rhys Thomas, 2 Ken Owens, 1 Rhodri Jones.
Replacements: 16 Matthew Rees, 17 Phil John, 18 Simon Gardiner, 19 Aaron Shingler, 20 Richie Pugh, 21 Tavis Knoyle, 22 Daniel Newton, 23 Scott Williams.
Ulster: 15 Simon Danielli, 14 Andrew Trimble, 13 Nevin Spence, 12 Paddy Wallace, 11 Craig Gilroy, 10 Ian Humphreys, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Chris Henry, 7 Mike McComish, 6 Pedrie Wannenburg, 5 Dan Tuohy, 4 Johann Muller (capt), 3 Declan Fitzpatrick, 2 Andi Kyriacou, 1 Tom Court.
Replacements: 16 Nigel Brady, 17 Paddy McAllister, 18 Adam Macklin, 19 Lewis Stevenson, 20 Robbie Diack, 21 Paul Marshall, 22 Darren Cave, 23 Adam D'Arcy.
