Wales full-back Blair Murray has given Scarlets a much-needed fitness boost as they prepare to return to European Champions Cup action.
Murray missed the derby defeats by Ospreys and Dragons, but has been passed fit to face French side Pau on Saturday (20:00 GMT) in Llanelli.
Scarlets boss Dwayne Peel has brought in Archie Hughes at scrum-half with Dane Blacker on the bench, while veteran ex-Wales and British and Irish Lion Gareth Davies is not in the matchday squad.
Wales’ Ryan Elias takes over at hooker with Marnus van der Merwe a replacement, while Wales Under-20s extended squad member Carwyn Leggatt-Jones, 18, could make his European debut if he comes on.
Pau are flying high in the Top 14, but are currently bottom of Pool 4 having lost two from two.
Scarlets are also winless, but sit in the top four places thanks to a losing bonus-point against Bristol Bears.
They would be guaranteed progression to the knockouts among Europe’s elite with a bonus-point win, and if Pau leave empty-handed.
Scarlets endured a painful festive period with derby defeats by Ospreys and Dragons, and sit bottom of the United Rugby Championship (URC).
Head coach Dwayne Peel said he will not let those disappointments define their season.
“You’re always looking at what’s the next game to focus on because we’re disappointed coming in on Monday morning, like anyone else would be,” Peel said.
“We fought really hard to get into the Champions Cup last season and we deserve to be in there.
“We had a fantastic experience when we played out in Bordeaux. Some of the young kids had their eyes wide open – 30,000 people there, playing against [Damian] Penaud and [Matthieu] Jalibert – that’s the standard of the competition and we feel at home in that.
“What we’ve shown in the last two [European] games is that we can be really competitive and what a great opportunity this week against Pau.”
Scarlets captain Josh Macleod said Pau are “big, physical and confrontational”.
The open-side added: “They’ve got a star-studded team, you don’t get to second in the Top 14 without a lot of depth.
“Whatever squad they bring is going to be a serious challenge and it’s one that we’re really looking forward to.
“A result will hopefully give us knockout rugby of some form, but let’s just take it week by week.
“A win is the first priority and then we’ll look forward to a massive game against one of the top sides in England [Northampton Saints] next week.”
Pau include former Scarlets number eight Carwyn Tuipulotu in their XV with ex-England scrum-half Dan Robson on the bench.
Scarlets: Murray; Rogers, Roberts, James, Mee; Hawkins, Hughes; Mathias, Elias, Thomas, Lousi, Ball, Taine Plumtree,Josh Macleod (capt), Anderson.
Replacements: Van der Merwe, Hepburn, O’Connor, Price, Davis, Blacker, Leggatt-Jones, Nicholas.
Replacements:
Pau: Attissogbe; Arfeuil, Decron, Valentino, Butlin; Desperes, Daubagna (capt); Etchebehere, Delhommel,Arrieta, Jolmes, Capelli, Zegueur, Hewat, Tuipulotu.
Replacements: Rey, Seneca, Tokolahi, Liufau, Iosefo, Pelesasa, Robson, Mondinat.
Referee: Sam Grove-White (Sco)
Assistants: Ian Kenny (Sco), Finlay Brown (Sco)
TMO: Dave Sutherland (Sco)
