Carter and Rogers return for Judgement Day derby

Dragons' Ben Carter (left) has 12 Wales caps while Scarlet's Tom Rogers has 10

URC Judgement Day: Dragons v Scarlets

Venue: Principality Stadium, Cardiff Date: Saturday, 19 April Kick off: 17:30 BST

Coverage: Live on S4C via iPlayer; Listen live on BBC Radio Wales and BBC Sounds, the BBC Sport website and app, plus live text commentary, followed by report and reaction on the BBC Sport website and app.

Wales wing Tom Rogers will return for Scarlets against Dragons in Welsh rugby's Judgement Day on Saturday at the Principality Stadium.

Rogers has recovered from a thumb injury suffered during the Six Nations, with Macs Page switching from wing to outside centre.

Hooker Marnus van der Merwe and lock Alex Craig also return in three personnel changes from the side that lost to Ospreys in the Challenge Cup.

Dragons welcome back official co-captains Ben Carter and Angus O'Brien from long-term injuries but centre Aneurin Owen will lead the side on this occasion.

Wales centre Scott Williams will making his first Dragons start against his former side. Williams is on permit from Pontypool.

Dragons duo return

Carter will return to action for the first time in almost six months after recovering from knee and ankle injuries.

The lock sustained a problem in his left knee while training with Wales at the end of October that required surgery.

The return of the 24-year-old was then delayed by a long-standing ankle issue which also needed an operation.

Fly-half O'Brien has also been missing since suffering a fractured thumb injury in January. Owen has led the side in the duo's absence and will continue in that leadership role.

O'Brien lines up as one of four backline changes, with wing Jared Rosser replacing the injured Rio Dyer and Ewan Rosser coming in for unavailable full-back Huw Anderson

Flanker Taine Basham and prop Dylan Kelleher-Griffiths start, with Harri Keddie and Rodrigo Martinez ruled out by injury.

Form guide

Scarlets ended a three-game losing run with victory against Ospreys last month - and with four games remaining are still targeting both the URC play-offs and being the highest placed Welsh side in the final league table.

They go into round 15 in 11th, above Ospreys on points difference and only three points behind both Cardiff.

Their other remaining games see them host Leinster before flying to South Africa to face Lions and Sharks.

After visiting Ospreys on Saturday, 26 April, Dragons also head to the southern hemisphere to complete another disappointing season, with games against Stormers and Bulls.

A victory at home to Ospreys on the opening day of the season remains their only league success this campaign and they are rooted to the bottom of the table, 18 points behind Zebre.

Dragons have, however, won on four of their last five visits to Principality Stadium - including their last two Judgement Day games against Scarlets.

The last eight meetings between these two sides have been evenly split with four wins each. Scarlets' overall record on 'Judgement Day' is won six, lost three.

What they say

Dragons head coach Filo Tiatia: "Scarlets are a good side and I enjoyed watching both derby games (with Ospreys) back-to-back.

"We've had a good look at Scarlets, and we've had a reminder of New Year's Day and some of the areas we weren't great at, so we are better.

"They are a transitional team, they feed on scraps with good athletes right across the park.

"They have several overseas players and international experience in that team, so they are a strong side."

Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel: "It's undoubtedly an important game in terms of our league ambitions. The Dragons will be ultra competitive. They have some top operators and they will want to get amongst us.

"The fact that both games are important for league positions adds a bit of added spice to the Judgement Day occasion.

"For our younger players who haven't played at the stadium before, it will be a special day for them and a great experience."

Line-ups

Dragons: Ewan Rosser, Ashton Hewitt, Aneurin Owen (capt), Scott Williams, Jared Rosser; Angus O'Brien, Rhodri Williams; Dylan Kelleher-Griffiths, Elliot Dee, Paula Latu, Ben Carter, Ryan Woodman, Shane Lewis-Hughes, Taine Basham, Aaron Wainwright.

Replacements: Brodie Coghlan, Rhodri Jones, Chris Coleman, Barny Langton-Cryer, Dan Lydiate, Dane Blacker, Will Reed, Joe Westwood.

Scarlets Blair Murray; Tom Rogers, Macs Page, Eddie James, Ellis Mee; Ioan Lloyd, Gareth Davies; Alec Hepburn, Marnus van der Merwe, Henry Thomas, Alex Craig, Sam Lousi, Vaea Fifita, Josh Macleod (capt), Taine Plumtree.

Replacements: Ryan Elias, Sam O'Connor, Sam Wainwright, Jac Price, Jarrod Taylor, Archie Hughes, Joe Roberts, Ioan Nicholas.

Referee: Aimee Barrett-Theron (SARU)

Assistant referees: Mike English & Gwyn Morris (WRU)

TMO: Keith David (WRU).