Dwayne Peel’s side has spent the start of the week preparing for the game with a training camp in north Wales with Clwb Rygbi Nant Conwy acting as hosts for the men from Llanelli.
After a convincing win over Nottingham in their first game of pre-season, Scarlets head coach Peel has named a strong side for the Leicester game.
Davies is one of 11 internationals in the starting line-up.
Peel said: “It’s been a great week for us, the boys have worked hard and have been enjoying each other’s company which is important.
“A big thanks as well to Clwb Rygbi Nant Conwy for being fantastic hosts.
“We know it is going to be a step up against Leicester, they are a physical side with plenty of threats, but the boys are keen to get out there and deliver what we’ve been working on in pre-season so far.”
Davies’ fellow Wales internationals Johnny McNicholl, Steffan Evans and Tom Rogers all start against Leicester in the back three. McNicholl is at full-back with Evans and Rogers on the wing.
Davies combines with Tyler Morgan in midfield while former Tiger Sam Costelow partners Kieran Hardy at half-back.
WillGriff John is handed his first Scarlets start at tighthead prop alongside Rob Evans and Ryan Elias in the front row.
Aaron Shingler, after impressing in the second row off the bench against Nottingham, starts at lock alongside Tom Price who is another ex-Tiger getting a run out on his former stomping ground.
Blade Thomson gets the nod at blindside flanker in a back row that contains Dan Davis and Sione Kalamafoni.
Wales prop Samson Lee is included among an expanded replacements bench, as is Scott Williams who is set to make his first Scarlets appearance since the Guinness PRO14 final against Leinster three years ago following his return to Parc y Scarlets from the Ospreys this summer.
Leicester’s starting XV is also a strong one and includes England internationals George Ford, Ben Youngs, captain Ellis Genge, Tom Youngs and Dan Cole.
Former Wales Under-20 captain Tommy Reffell and giant Fiji wing Nemani Nadolo also start.
Tigers head coach Steve Borthwick said: “Scarlets are a good side with an experienced squad and led well by a strong coaching team who present a different challenge to what we have come up against already this pre-season.”
Leicester Tigers: Bryce Hegarty; Freddie Steward, Matt Scott, Dan Kelly, Nemani Nadolo; George Ford, Ben Youngs; Ellis Genge (capt), Tom Youngs, Dan Cole, Calum Green, Eli Snyman, George Martin, Tommy Reffell, Hanro Liebenberg
Replacements: Nic Dolly, Francois van Wyk, Nephi Leatigaga, Cameron Henderson, Ollie Chessum, Gareth Evans, Richard Wigglesworth, Freddie Burns, Juan Pablo Socino, Guy Porter, Kini Murimurivalu, Harry Potter, Hosea Saumaki
Scarlets: Johnny McNicholl; Tom Rogers, Jonathan Davies (capt), Tyler Morgan, Steff Evans; Sam Costelow, Kieran Hardy; Rob Evans, Ryan Elias, WillGriff John, Aaron Shingler, Tom Price, Blade Thomson, Dan Davis, Sione Kalamafoni
Replacements: Marc Jones, Daf Hughes, Phil Price, Samson Lee, Josh Helps, Jac Price, Shaun Evans, Tom Phillips, Harri Williams, Dan Jones, Angus O’Brien, Steff Hughes, Scott Williams, Ryan Conbeer, Ioan Nicholas
