Nicholas set for Scarlets century in European opener

Full-back Ioan Nicholas became the youngest player to represent Scarlets when he played in a pre-season friendly against Jersey in August 2015

As the European Challenge Cup campaign kicks off for Scarlets this weekend away to French side Bayonne, it will be a great occasion for one of the region's stalwarts.

Full-back Ioan Nicholas, 26, will make his 100th appearance for the Welsh region on Saturday, and his head coach Dwayne Peel is thrilled on his behalf.

"It's fantastic for him. I think he's the youngest ever Scarlet to wear the shirt, and he's still a relatively young man," Peel said.

"He's been a player for us who has been really reliable, a consistent performer. He's a very fond member and is very liked within our group. I'm delighted for him. I know his family personally, having grown up in the same area as them and they are great people.

"They'll be delighted with his achievements, and for us it's great we can honour those achievements with performances and this game [against Bayonne] is an added part to it that we can hopefully get a win and that we can celebrate with him on Saturday night."

Peel also added that a few nights away could mean more sleep for his player.

"He has recently become a father for the first time, so he's had a busy few weeks, so I think he's looking forward to going away to be able to sleep," Peel added.

Nicholas - who became the youngest player to represent Scarlets at 17 years and 134 days when he played in a pre-season friendly against Jersey in August 2015 - is named in a Scarlets side showing 10 changes for the trip to the south of France.

"[Daughter] Loti has arrived, so nice timing for my 100th appearance," Nicholas said.

"It's a massive achievement for me and obviously I'm very proud, and my family are all looking forward to seeing me running out on Saturday. I don't know where the last nine years have gone, but it's been a good nine years, and I'm still enjoying my rugby.

"I do remember playing Jersey away as my first game, when I was 17 under [former Scarlets head coach] Wayne Pivac, and I then had a couple of league games after that.

"I don't often score tries - I'm happy having crossed the line in the game last week against Glasgow - but I'm not counting on another try on my 100th."

After their Pool 3 opener at Bayonne, Scarlets continue their European Challenge Cup campaign against Georgian side Black Lion, Gloucester, and another French team Vannes.

Nicholas hopes that a change of competition from the United Rugby Championship league could be used as a springboard by Scarlets for success this season.

"Two years ago, when the European games came around, we had lost a couple of games before it and the European Cup literally changed the season for us," Nicholas said.

"We had two wins [in Europe] and then our whole season changed - we went on to win a lot of league games after that and we carried on playing well in the league and in the Cup [where Scarlets lost in the semi-finals against Glasgow] so I don't think it's a distraction at all.

"I think it's a nice opportunity for us to go out there and show what we can do, and hopefully it will reflect in the league as well."