Wayne Pivac watches on in the stands and there's a brief moment of panic as Liam Williams looks to have taken a knock.

But the Wales full-back, who has returned from injury today, shakes it off and is fine to continue.

Dafydd Pritchard
BBC Sport Wales at Cardiff City Stadium

Looking at the statistics, you would have been forgiven for expecting another turgid festive Welsh derby tonight.

Before this game, Cardiff Blues (270) and Scarlets (263) had kicked from hand more often than any other sides in the Pro14 this season,.

But you only need to look at the two backlines on display to realise that this fixture could be different.

Of the 14 backs starting this evening, 12 are full internationals and even those without senior caps - Scarlets fly-half Dan Jones and Cardiff Blues centre Willis Halaholo - have demonstrated their considerable attacking talents already with key parts to play in the two tries so far.

The festive derbies may not have been as entertaining as in previous years, but you can't have many complaints about the rugby on show so far today. Entertaining from the outset in Cardiff.

Josh Turnbull is penalised for his tackle on Liam Williams and the Scarlets will have another line-out deep in Blues territory.

Scarlets are awarded a penalty after Jarrod Evans takes Gareth Davies out in the air with the scrum-half attempting to catch another high ball.

The Scarlets make a mess of the line-out though and the Blues clear up to half-way.

The kicking tennis continues. I'll let you know when it's over.

Dan Jones does extremely well to claim a high ball after juggling it at the first and second attempt.

Both scrum-halves are exchanging a few box-kicks as each region settles into the game.

And kick the Blues ahead he does. The hosts lead after six minutes.

Like the Blues, Scarlets claim their first line-out of the match but immediately concede a penalty at the breakdown, and Jarrod Evans will look to kick the hosts ahead from just outside the Scarlets' 22.

Unfortunately for the Blues the Scarlets win the penalty at the scrum and Dan Jones will have the chance to clear.

Cardiff Blues successfully claim their first line-out of the evening on half way and begin driving forward.

Josh Adams is released down the blind-side and drags Gareth Davies, who collects Adams' chip, into his own in-goal area to set up a five-metre scrum for the Cardiff Blues.

Quick start from the hosts.

Referee Craig Evans blows the whistle and our second Pro14 Welsh derby of the day is underway. Scarlets' fly-half Dan Jones with the kick off.

It was a happier start to 2021 for Scarlets as they recorded back-to-back derby day victories with a 20-3 win against Dragons.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

A lack of discipline cost Cardiff Blues on their return to the Cardiff City Stadium on New Year's Day as they fell to defeat against Ospreys.

Cardiff Blues had forwards Seb Davies, Dmitri Arhip and Scott Andrew yellow-carded in the second-half as they played most of the period with 14 men.

The Blues could only manage a Jason Tovey penalty in the entire match at their temporary home venue.

You can read the full report here.

Wales centre Jonathan Davies admits the pace of his comeback from injury has been frustrating but feels his body is now "in a good place".

While Richard Hodges takes charge of tonight's match, Cardiff Blues announced Dai Young's return as interim director of rugby earlier this week.

John Mulvihill's departure heralded the return of Young, who guided Cardiff Blues through their most successful period in the regional era.

Young was director of rugby between 2003 and 2011, winning the EDF Energy Cup and Amlin Challenge Cup, and coming within a penalty shootout of a Heineken Cup final, before joining Wasps in 2011.

The 53-year-old will officially start with Cardiff Blues next Monday as an interim appointment, with a view to agreeing a long-term deal in the weeks ahead.

You can read the full story here.

Image source, Getty Images

Dafydd Pritchard
BBC Sport Wales at Cardiff City Stadium

It's nothing new but it still takes some getting used to watching Cardiff Blues and Scarlets prepare to lock horns in tonight's second Pro14 Welsh derby at the home ground of Wales' national football team.

Cardiff Blues played here between 2009 and 2012 before returning to the Arms Park.

This will be their second game back at Cardiff City Stadium, following their New Year's Day defeat there by Ospreys.

Having also used Rodney Parade in Newport as a temporary base while their home ground Cardiff Arms Park was used to support the National Health Service during the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic, Cardiff Blues are planning a return to the Arms Park in time to welcome Newcastle Falcons in a European Challenge Cup match on 23 January.

Scarlets have recalled Wales backs Liam Williams, Jonathan Davies, Leigh Halfpenny, Johnny Williams and Gareth Davies for this evening's derby.

However Glenn Delaney is still without several international players due to long-term injuries, including fly-half Rhys Patchell and flankers Aaron Shingler and James Davies.

There is an all-new front row of Phil Price, hooker Marc Jones and Pieter Scholtz, who makes his first start.

In total there are 10 changes from their New Year's Day win over Dragons.

Scarlets: Leigh Halfpenny; Liam Williams, Jonathan Davies (capt), Johnny Williams, Steff Evans; Dan Jones, Gareth Davies; Phil Price, Marc Jones, Pieter Scholtz, Tevita Ratuva, Sam Lousi, Blade Thomson, Josh Macleod, Sione Kalamafoni.

Replacements: Ryan Elias, Kemsley Mathias, Javan Sebastian, Josh Helps, Ed Kennedy, Kieran Hardy, Sam Costelow, Paul Asquith.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency