It’s a near full-strength side named by head coach Simon Easterby with Liam Williams, Scott Williams, Ken Owens, Aaron Shingler, Josh Turnbull and Rob McCusker all starting.
Outside half Rhys Priestland is on the bench with only two internationals not making the journey. British & Irish Lions centre Jonathan Davies is given a rest as he continues his comeback while new signing and Scottish international John Barclay is not yet fit.
On the bench, talented young IRB Junior World Championship finalists Rhodri Williams and Jordan Williams provide attacking options as replacements.
With just a week until their RaboDirect PRO12 season opener against Leinster at Parc y Scarlets, the Scarlets will be keen to go into that game with a win under their belt.
Easterby said: “This is going to be a great test for us and a perfect way to lead up to our opening competitive game against Leinster next Friday.
“It will be good to see some of our senior internationals getting a run-out back in the Scarlets jersey. It’s been a really big plus to have these boys on a full pre-season with us to manage and recover fully from their injuries and niggles.
“We’ve given game time across the squad in the pre-season fixtures which is important to get all our players into match mentality. The very nature of pre-season friendlies means the games are a little stop start and disjointed but the players don’t take that long to get up to the level they need to be at.
“I think we’re in a far better position going into the new season than we were at the same stage last season and I’m happy with the progress we’ve made throughout the pre-season.
“Hopefully we can show that and produce a good performance against Gloucester on Friday night.”
With former Scarlets Head of Rugby Nigel Davies also putting out a strong Gloucester side, it should be a great evening of rugby with plenty to excite the crowds including a large travelling Scarlets away support.
To add to the colour of the occasion, two former Scarlets will be in the starting line-up for Gloucester. Popular scrum-half Tavis Knoyle and No. 8 Ben Morgan both start.
“It would be good to hear some strong Scarlets voices in the crowd up at Kingsholm. It’s going to be a good night of rugby for everyone involved,” added Easterby.
“There’s plenty of familiarity between our two clubs – it’s going to be a competitive game and no doubt show the true spirit and passion of these two traditional clubs.”
Scarlets Team v Gloucester Rugby; Friday August 30th 2013 kick off 7.30pm at Kingsholm: 15 Gareth Owen 14 Liam Williams 13 Gareth Maule 12 Scott Williams 11 Kristian Phillips 10 Steve Shingler 9 Gareth Davies, 1 Phil John 2 Ken Owens 3 Samson Lee 4 George Earle 5 Jo Snyman 6 Aaron Shingler 7 Josh Turnbull 8 Rob McCusker (capt).
Replacements: Rob Evans, Emyr Phillips, Jacobie Adriaanse, Jake Ball, Richard Kelly, Sione Timani, Craig Price, Rhodri Williams, Rhys Priestland, Adam Warren, Jordan Williams.
