London Irish v Scarlets (Sat)

Scarlets Jonathan Davies

Wales centre Jonathan Davies will return to action for the Scarlets in the LV= Cup clash against London Irish.

Davies, 25, suffered a pectoral tear against South Africa in November and will line-up at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday.

Wales have released him in a bid to prove his fitness for the Six Nations clash with Ireland on 8 February.

"It's an opportunity for Jon to get game time after such a long lay-off," said Scarlets coach Simon Easterby.

"It's good news he's had such a speedy recovery and he's done really well to get back in the time frame he has.

"He's ready and will play his part for us on the weekend."

Wales coach Warren Gatland confirmed Davies had been released back to the Scarlets in a bid to get some game time.

Davies' recovery is ahead of schedule, with initial reports suggesting he would miss most of the Six Nations Championship.

He last played for the Scarlets against Zebre in October.

The Welsh region cannot qualify for the semi-finals despite their victory over Gloucester last Friday.

Deacon Manu also makes a return to action after a he fractured arm against Benetton Treviso at Parc y Scarlets in September 2013.

TEAMS:

London Irish: James O'Connor. Andrew Fenby, Fergus Mulchrone, Eamonn Sheridan, Sailosi Tagicakibau, Shane Geraghty (Captain), Tomás O'Leary; Matt Parr, David Paice, CJ Van Der Linde, Bryn Evans, Nic Rouse, Danny Kenny, Ofisa Treviranus, Chris Hala'ufia

Replacements: Jimmy Stevens, John Yapp, Jamie Hagan, George Skivington, Gerard Ellis, Topsy Ojo, Ian Humphreys, Sean Kennedy

Scarlets: Jordan Williams, Aaron Warren, Jonathan Davies, Gareth Owen, Frazier Climo, Josh Lewis, Aled Davies; Rob Evans, Darran Harris, Deacon Manu, Richard Kelly, Johan Snyman, Lewis Rawlins, Craig Price, Rob McCusker (c)

Replacements: Torin Myhill, Wyn Jones, Jacobie Adriaanse, George Earle, Daniel Thomas, Gareth Davies, Aled Thomas, Adam Warren

Referee: Steve Lee

Assistant Referee: Jonathan Healy

Assistant Referee: Roy Maybank