Internationals boost Scarlets' bid for first win

Scarlets captain Josh Macleod suffered a pectoral injury in the opening URC round against Munster

United Rugby Championship: Scarlets v Glasgow Warriors

Venue: Parc y Scarlets Date: Saturday, 29 November Kick-off: 19:45 GMT

Coverage: Live on S4C and iPlayer

Scarlets have been boosted by the return to fitness of several internationals as they hunt their first win of the season in the United Rugby Championship (URC).

Wales players Josh Macleod, Ryan Elias, Eddie James, Jake Ball and Springbok Marnus van der Merwe are all named in the matchday squad to take on high-flying Glasgow as the league gets back under way.

But head coach Dwayne Peel is without much of his starting backline, with Blair Murray, Ellis Mee, Joe Roberts and Joe Hawkins all featuring for Wales against South Africa on Saturday, while last week's hat-trick hero Tom Rogers is injured.

New Zealander Fletcher Anderson is set for his URC debut at number eight having signed from Crusaders last month, while 17-year-old fly-half Carwyn Leggatt-Jones could make his league debut from the bench.

Macleod and James returned to action in a friendly against Harlequins last weekend, while Elias will make his first appearance of the season.

"Having leaders like Josh and Ryan back is massive for us and although we are missing a few backs, it gives an opportunity to some exciting young homegrown players in the squad. I'm excited to see how they go," said Peel.

Wing Iori Badham will make his league debut in a back three with Jac Davies and Tomi Lewis, who crossed twice against Quins.

Gareth Davies and Sam Costelow provide some experience in the half-backs.

Scarlets are currently bottom of the URC table having lost four games, with their trip to Connacht postponed due to adverse weather.

"It is the start of a massive block of matches for us and it is important we start picking up points," said Peel.

"We are obviously disappointed with four losses from four, but I thought we took a step forward in South Africa and we need to keep building momentum."

Glasgow travel to Llanelli in third having won four from five.

"They're a top four side, like us they'll have had a lot of players away with Scotland, but they have a strong depth of squad," said Peel.

"They're a team who want to play attractive football, if you don't get on top of them they can run a riot."

Ten of Glasgow's matchday 23 were involved with Scotland during the autumn internationals, while Alex Craig will pack down against his former club.

Former Scotland under-20 star Kerr Johnston will make his first start, nine months after making his Glasgow debut.

Glasgow head coach Franco Smith said: "The whole squad has worked hard over the last couple of weeks to put ourselves in the best possible position.

"We expect the Scarlets to be a tough test in front of a passionate home crowd, and we know that we must be at our best to overcome a challenging opponent."

Line-ups

Scarlets: J Davies; Badham, Page, James, Lewis; Costelow, G Davies; Mathias, Elias, Holz, Ball, Lousi, Douglas, Macleod (capt), Anderson

Replacements: Van der Merwe, S O'Connor, H Thomas, Cuckson, Davis, Blacker, Leggatt-Jones, McDonald.

Glasgow: McKay; Rowe, Smith, McDowall (capt), Johnston; Lancaster, Afshar; Bhatti, Matthews, Schickerling, Craig, Oguntibeju, Brown, Fraser, Duncan

Replacements: Hiddleston, McBeth, Talakai, Williamson, Samuel, Miller, Horne, Hastings.

Match officials

Referee: Chris Allison (South Africa)

Assistants: Ben Whitehouse (Wales), Adam Jones (Wales)

TMO: Morne Ferreira (South Africa).