United Rugby Championship: Leinster v Scarlets (Sat) - Wales centre Johnny Williams returns

Centre Johnny Williams has seven Wales caps

Wales international Johnny Williams returns from injury for Scarlets as one of 10 personnel changes to face Leinster in Dublin on Saturday.

Outside-half Charlie Titcombe and wing Tomi Lewis are both handed first United Rugby Championship (URC) starts.

Titcombe partners Kieran Hardy, who returns at nine in place of rested Wales international Gareth Davies.

Leinster welcome back several Ireland stars from World Cup duty including co-captains Gary Ringrose and James Ryan.

Scarlets are without Wales back row Taine Plumtree, who is waiting to discover the full extent of a shoulder injury.

Ben Williams replaces Plumtree in the back row. Jac Price is recalled at lock while in the front row, Wyn Jones and Shaun Evans pack down alongside Harri O'Connor.

Centre Williams, 27, suffered a hamstring injury in Wales' win over Barbarians, a game which was played on the same day Scarlets defeated Cardiff in a URC derby - a fixture clash Peel described as unhelpful and frustrating.

Williams will make his first appearance of the season in the Scarlets' midfield alongside British & Irish Lion Jonathan Davies, who takes over the captain's armband.

Former Loughborough University student Titcombe is given his opportunity with international Sam Costelow injured and his potential Wales replacement Ioan Lloyd rested.

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In the back three, Tom Rogers switches to full-back in place of Johnny McNicholl, while Ryan Conbeer comes in on the left wing with Lewis on the right.

Experienced Wales international centre Scott Williams is included in the matchday squad for the first time this season as he starts on the bench along with prop Steff Thomas, who is in line to make his 50th Scarlets appearance.

Scarlets have won only one of their four games this season - the round three win over Cardiff - and have enjoyed just two previous victories at the RDS Arena, in 2007 and 2017.

Leinster have recovered from losing their opening game of the season at Glasgow with three wins in a row, including a 33-10 success at Dragons last Sunday.

Leo Cullen has made 11 changes to that team, including first appearances of the season for Ireland stars Josh van der Flier, Caelan Dories, Andrew Porter and Hugo Keenan.

Fly-half Ross Byrne is set to make his 150th appearance for the province from the replacement bench that also includes academy scrum-half Fintan Gunne, who is set to make his debut.

Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel said: "We have a big few weeks and it is about managing the squad so a couple of guys get an opportunity this week.

"It is obviously a tough challenge going to Dublin for any team, but we are looking forward to it. What sets Leinster apart is how efficient they are at the fundamentals of the game.

"For us, it is important we stay in the fight and we don't give them anything loose because they will punish us if we do."

Leinster assistant coach and former Scarlets hooker Robin McBryde said: "Scarlets had a few tough away trips to the South African teams, they have nothing to lose and are coming here to make a point.

"There is no more dangerous team than the Scarlets in that mode. They are very dangerous in the backs. If the forwards can give them a platform, they will be a handful."

Leinster: Hugo Keenan; Jordan Larmour, Garry Ringrose (co-capt), Jamie Osborne, Jimmy O'Brien; Sam Prendergast, Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Rónan Kelleher, Thomas Clarkson, Joe McCarthy, James Ryan (co-capt), Max Deegan, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris.

Replacements: Dan Sheehan, Jack Boyle, Tadhg Furlong, Ross Molony, Scott Penny, Fintan Gunne, Ross Byrne, Ciarán Frawley.

Scarlets: Tom Rogers; Tomi Lewis, Jonathan Davies (capt), Johnny Williams, Ryan Conbeer; Charlie Titcombe, Kieran Hardy; Wyn Jones, Shaun Evans, Harri O'Connor, Alex Craig, Jac Price, Ben Williams, Teddy Leatherbarrow, Carwyn Tuipulotu.

Replacements: Ryan Elias, Steff Thomas, Sam Wainwright, Morgan Jones, Iwan Shenton, Archie Hughes, Ioan Nicholas, Scott Williams.

Referee: Hollie Davidson (SRU)

Assistant referees: Eoghan Cross & Stuart Douglas (IRFU)

TMO: Andrew McMenemy (SRU)

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