Glasgow Warriors head coach Gregor Townsend admits his side’s home form will be crucial to their RaboDirect PRO12 run-in as they prepare to welcome the Scarlets to Scotstoun on Saturday. Warriors have not been in action on home soil for six weeks but following postponements earlier in the season, six of their remaining eight matches are at Scotstoun. They came into the weekend in fifth, three points of the fourth-placed Ospreys but with two games in hand while their last match at Scotstoun – an 8-6 win over Connacht – ended a four-game losing run in all competitions at home. Glasgow beat Scarlets 17-12 at Parc y Scarlets in round five and are going for a first season's double over the Welshmen since season 2009/10 but the Scarlets have won on two of their last three visits to Glasgow. The Warriors welcome back Scotland internationals Tommy Seymour, Alex Dunbar and Duncan Weir while Chris Cusiter again captains the side. Al Kellock and Sean Maitland have also recovered from their respective injuries to take their place on the bench and Townsend is hoping his returning internationals make an impact on Saturday. “We're looking forward to our first game at Scotstoun in six weeks,” he said. “This is a really important period of the season and it's great that six of our last eight games will be in front of our home support. “Scarlets are a quality side, who finished in the top four last season and are only seven points and one place behind us in sixth, so they pose a huge threat. “Although we won down in Wales in October, they beat us home and away last season, so they know what it's like to win at Scotstoun. “It's great for us to be able to welcome back a number of Scotland players, but we haven't made a lot of changes to the team which narrowly lost to Leinster earlier this month. “I was pleased with our performance that night and although we didn't get the result we wanted we came very close to beating one of the best sides in Europe.” The Scarlets are just one place and seven points behind the Warriors in sixth, having won three of their last four matches, although they slipped to defeat to Ulster last time out. British & Irish Lions centre Jonathan Davies leads the side in Rob McCusker's absence, who is ruled out through injury, and will partner former England international Olly Barkley in the centre for the second time. Wales’ man of the match against Scotland Liam Williams returns at full-back with international front row duo Ken Owens and Samson Lee packing down in the scrum. Jordan Williams moves to the wing replacing the injured Frazier Climo while Tongan international Sione Timani replaces injured captain McCusker. Head coach Simon Easterby said: “The guys have come back to us from Wales with a spring in their step and we still have something to play for. “It's positive to hear the boys were looking forward after the game [Wales v Scotland] to come back, hopefully their return can be a good boost to what has been a relatively good period for us. “We have to win every game now to get into the top four. I believe that we have what it takes to reach the play-offs with the potential that we have here. It's all still in our hands and we will look to control what we can. “Glasgow are the best defensive team in the league and they're hard to break down. We will have to be patient on Saturday evening and be prepared to mix up our game.” Saturday 22nd March At Scotstoun Stadium, 6.30pm. Referee: Alain Rolland (IRFU, 63rd competition game) Assistant Referees: Lloyd Linton , David Changleng (both SRU) Citing Commissioner: John Montgomery (SRU) TMO: Jim Yuille (SRU) Live on S4/C and BBC Alba
