It has been more than a year since Nasi Manu took to the field for Benetton but the No.8 has been named in the starting line-up for the trip to Parc Y Scarlets.

Manu was diagnosed with testicular cancer in August last year and played his first rugby in 13 months when he came off the bench for Tonga against England at the World Cup – now he’s ready to pull on his club jersey again.

Meanwhile, Blade Thomson returns for Scarlets to play his first game of the season against Benetton after returning from the Rugby World Cup with Scotland.

Scarlets make four changes from the side that beat Toyota Cheetahs last weekend that includes Thomson coming in for Uzair Cassiem.

Kick-off: Parc Y Scarlets, Llanelli | 19:35 UK, Saturday November 9

How to watch: Live on Premier Sports 1, DAZN

Players to watch out for: Nasi Manu vs Blade Thomson

If you’re looking for a battle on at the Parc, look no further than the one that is sure to unfold between the returning No.8s.

Both yet to feature for their club sides this season they will be eager to show off their strength at the back of the pack.

It may well be an emotional occasion for Manu too and what better way to mark it than with a standout performance?

Key stat: Scarlets have only lost one of their last nine fixtures at Parc y Scarlets in all tournaments and have lost just twice to Benetton in their last 14 encounters in all competitions.

Scarlets: Johnny McNicholl; Corey Baldwin, Steff Hughes ©, Paul Asquith, Steff Evans; Dan Jones, Kieran Hardy; Phil Price, Taylor Davies, Samson Lee, Lewis Rawlins, Steve Cummins, Ed Kennedy, Josh Macleod, Blade Thomson.

Replacements: Marc Jones, Rob Evans, Werner Kruger, Juandre Kruger, Uzair Cassiem, Dane Blacker, Ryan Lamb, Kieron Fonotia

Benetton: Jayden Hayward, Angelo Esposito, Ignacio Brex, Tommaso Benvenuti, Monty Ioane, Tommaso Allan,Tito Tebaldi, Nicola Quaglio, Hame Faiva, Marco Riccioni; Irne Herbst, Federico Ruzza; Sebastian Negri, Abraham Steyn, Blade Thomson

Replacements: Engjel Makelara, Cherif Traore, Tiziano Pasquali, Niccolò Cannone, Dean Budd, Giovanni Pettinelli, Dewaldt Duvenage, Antonio Rizzi