The Scarlets have won eight of their 10 games at home this season in all competitions and their last three in a row in the RaboDirect PRO12 league and will be looking to stay in the mix for a final eight place in Europe.
The Scarlets sit in second in Pool One behind leaders Munster and know that two wins against Northampton Saints and then away to Castres Olympique next weekend, will keep them in close contention for a best runners-up spot for the quarter-finals of the European tournament.
The Scarlets face a strong Saints side who have hit a run of impressive performances in recent weeks in the Premiership and with a resounding, five try 45-0 win against Castres last time out in the Heineken Cup.
Injuries picked up last weekend in a bruising and physical league encounter against Glasgow Warriors brings a couple of changes to the Scarlets starting line-up; with Scottish international Sean Lamont ruled out with a calf strain and Tongan second row giant Sione Timani out with a dead leg. Tighthead Prop Rhys Thomas picked up a neck strain in training on Wednesday and is not passed fit for Saturday afternoon.
There is a return for exciting Wales prospect Liam Williams at full-back and Aaron Shingler takes a starting place back in the second row. The region’s Tongan flyer Viliame Iongi stars on the wing.
Rhys Priestland, Jon Davies, Scott Williams and George North – all part of the team that travelled to Northampton in November – start in a Scarlets backline that will be looking to bring plenty of fire to the Pool one fixture. A total of 17 of the Scarlets 22 that faced Saints last time out are part of the return fixture this weekend.
Scarlets: 15 Liam Williams, 14 George North, 13 Scott Williams, 12 Jon Davies, 11 Viliame Iongi, 10 Rhys Priestland, 9 Gareth Davies, 1 Iestyn Thomas, 2 Matthew Rees (capt), 3 Deacon Manu, 4 Lou Reed, 5 Dominic Day, 6 Aaron Shingler, 7 Rob McCusker, 8 Ben Morgan.
Replacements: Ken Owens, Phil John, Rhodri Jones, Josh Turnbull, Johnathan Edwards, Rhodri Williams, Stephen Jones, Gareth Maule.
