**Liam Williams returns for the Scarlets as they prepare to play their first match since October against the Ospreys on New Year's Day.** Williams missed the first block of fixtures after having his appendix removed but returned for Wales during the Autumn Nations Series. He was named in the starting XV for the scheduled Boxing Day fixture at Cardiff which was ultimately postponed. Josh Macleod also returns from injury and Harri O'Connor is handed a first United Rugby Championship start, but the Scarlets are without Wyn Jones and captain Jonathan Davies, with Scott Williams named skipper. The Ospreys head into the derby clash with Keelan Giles making his first appearance since April, while Jac Morgan starts against his former region and Dewi Lake is named among the replacements. Josh Thomas starts at fly-half in the absence of Gareth Anscombe and Stephen Myler.