Star fly-half Jones will start at No10, with hooker Matthew Rees on the Scarlets bench. Prop Rhys Thomas also returns from injury to get a place in the 23 and 27-year-old lock Damian Welch who impressed the Scarlets coaching set-up last weekend, gets his first start for the region in Europe.
The Scarlets will visit the Stade Municipal des Sports on Saturday evening (KO 6pm UK time) focused on replicating their win against London Irish at home last weekend, and with it the opportunity of reaching the last eight of either the Heineken Cup or Amlin Challenge Cup.
With only two sides having secured qualification for the next stages so far, there is still plenty to play for in Europe, but the Scarlets say they are just focused on getting an away win and with it the chance of finishing second in their group.
Head Coach Nigel Davies said: “There are so many permutations as to how and if we can qualify – we just have to focus on what we can control which is getting a result in Brive on Saturday.
“I was delighted with last weekend’s result and the way that a lot of our younger players stuck at the cause and finished as the stronger team. It was a huge achievement for them and the team and obviously put us in a reasonably good position going into this final round.
“This is a very big game for us against Brive, we have remained very focused and positive this week building on the platform from Sunday and the players are just looking at securing a win.”
On the return of some experienced Scarlets players to the field, Davies added: “It is great to have some of our senior guys back – having experience is very important particularly away from home in Europe. Having said that the younger boys who played on Sunday will have gained a lot from that win and comeback; they know now that they can stay in games and by being determined you can come through and win.
“I was very impressed with the way our bench went on Sunday – it’s that quality we need to impact games and all three of the forwards who came on made an impact.
“Damian Welch has been working hard, he’s a great athlete and can be very quick and as a line-out forward he was very effective last weekend.”
The Scarlets began this season’s European campaign with a 24-12 win over the French side but know that going away from home to France will present a new challenge.
“Brive is a very passionate French rugby club and it’s great to see them back in the top flight – but they will be disappointed with their performances and may want to sign-off with a big game. They have a big squad of experienced players, a great support and it’s a hard place to go and win a game of rugby at.
“What we are looking at is trying to finish second in our group, to win four out of six games in our pool, given where we are in our transition and the fact we blooded so many of our younger players in this competition, will, in my view, be a real achievement.”
And returning Scarlets star Matthew Rees said the team were not taking anything for granted and were prepared for a typically physical French test.
“The result last weekend proves what we can do as a squad and puts us in good stead for this weekend. But we know its going to be tough, a physical challenge out there.
“Brive have got some good players, so it’s been important that we’ve prepared well and chuck everything at them and the boys are really up for the challenge.”
And on a possible last eight spot for the Scarlets in either European competition, Rees said: “It will mean a massive amount to us. It will be huge. We are moving forward in the right direction now and there are a lot of young players here who have had a lot of game time this season and are coming through really well.
“A quarter final place in either competition will inspire our youngsters and I think we would all be proud of having achieved that.”
Scarlets 15 Daniel Evans, 14 Morgan Stoddart, 13 Sean Lamont, 12 Jonathan Davies, 11 Andy Fenby, 10 Stephen Jones, 9 Martin Roberts, 1 Iestyn Thomas, 2 Ken Owens, 3 Deacon Manu, 4 Damian Welch, 5 Dominic Day, 6 Rob McCusker, 7 Josh Turnbull, 8 David Lyons (captain).
Replacements: 16 Matthew Rees, 17 Phil John, 18 Rhys Thomas, 19 Lou Reed, 20 Johnathan Edwards, 21 Lee Williams, 22 Rhys Priestland 23 Gareth Maule
