Zebre v Scarlets: Guinness PRO12 preview
Last Updated: 10/04/15 4:57pm
The Scarlets have made two changes for Saturday’s must-win trip to Italy to face struggling Zebre at the Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi.
The Welsh region’s hopes of a top-six finish Guinness PRO12 have been dashed by three defeats in four games, the last of those coming at home to Edinburgh in round 18.
Wales international Liam Williams starts at full-back after recovering from a thigh injury, with Lewis Rawlins shifting to lock to accommodate Rob McCusker’s inclusion in the back row.
With just four regular season games remaining, Scarlets head coach Wayne Pivac admits his side cannot afford to slip up in Parma.
"We're certainly focused on the win and to win at all costs," he said. "We're asking the guys to make sure their routines are the same both home and away.
“There certainly shouldn't be any lack of energy or motivation this week. There really are no excuses for us not to perform."
Zebre are bottom after winning just three of their 18 games but they only trail Italian rivals Treviso by four points, and victory over the Scarlets would put them in contention for Champions Cup qualification.
Mauro Begamasco captains the hosts as they make eight changes to the side that lost at the Ospreys. Hendrik Daniller starts at full-back, with George Biagi replacing the injured Marco Bortolami in the second row.
Zebre: 15 Hendrik Daniller, 14 Dion Berryman, 13 Matteo Pratichetti, 12 Gonzalo Garcia, 11 Michele Visentin, 10 Luciano Orquera, 9 Brendon Leonard; 1 Andrea De Marchi, 2 Andrea Manici, 3 Dario Chistolini, 4 Quintin Geldenhuys, 5 George Biagi, 6 Filippo Cristiano, 7 Mauro Bergamasco (c), 8 Andries Van Schalkwyk.
Replacements: 16 Oliviero Fabiani, 17 Andrea Lovotti, 18 Luca Redolfini, 19 Samuela Vunisa, 20 Valerio Bernabo, 21 Guglielmo Palazzani, 22 Alberto Chillon, 23 Mirco Bergamasco.
Scarlets: 15 Liam Williams, 14 Harry Robinson, 13 Regan King, 12 Scott Williams, 11 Hadleigh Parkes, 10 Steven Shingler, 9 Aled Davies; 1 Rob Evans, 2 Ken Owens (c), 3 Peter Edwards, 4 Jake Ball, 5 Lewis Rawlins, 6 Rob McCusker, 7 James Davies 8 John Barclay.
Replacements: 16 Ryan Elias, 17 Phil John, 18 Jacobie Adriaanse, 19 Jack Payne, 20 Rory Pitman, 21 Rhodri Williams, 22 Rhys Priestland, 23 Steffan Evans.
