Conference B leaders Scarlets welcome Benetton Rugby to west Wales on Friday night looking to keep up their fast-paced start to the Guinness PRO14 season. The Italians are enjoying a fine 2017/18 campaign and have caused a few upsets already this year – they’ll be in the mood to produce one more this weekend.

What’s at stake? After Round Eight the Scarlets go on tour to the southern hemisphere to take on both the Southern Kings and Toyota Cheetahs – Wayne Pivac’s side will be desperate to travel in the best shape possible, meaning a win on Friday is essential. Meanwhile, Benetton have slipped to narrow defeats in both the Champions Cup and last time out in the Guinness PRO14, losing 24-13 to Edinburgh, and will be focused on returning to winning ways.

Team news (Scarlets): Head coach Wayne Pivac has received a big boost ahead of the game against Benetton with Scott Williams, Hadleigh Parkes and back-rower John Barclay all released from their international camps in time for the game. Williams skippers Scarlets on Friday alongside Parkes in the centres, with Barclay at No.8.

Team news (Benetton Rugby): Head coach Kieran Crowley has named a strong side to take on the Scarlets and has made ten changes compared to the XV that faced Edinburgh last week. Jayden Hayward is at full-back with Angelo Esposito and Andrea Bronzini completing the back three, with Giorgio Bronzini and Ian McKinley partnering at halfback.

Talking points: Looking ahead to the challenge head coach Wayne Pivac said: “We want to put on a good display as a team so everybody can hopefully enjoy the success and enjoy what has been a proud run at home in this competition.
“Having said that we’re expecting a big challenge. It’s a home game, we see all home games as a must win for us and if they come over fully loaded we’ll be very happy to come out of it with a win. It’s definitely a target of ours to get four points.”

Key Battle: With Rhys Patchell away on national duty the battle of the fly-halves will have everyone’s attention on Friday at Parc y Scarlets. Dan Jones deputises for Patchell and will be keen to take his opportunity, but comes up against Benetton’s Ian McKinley, who, having just been named in an Italy squad for the first time will be doing everything he can to impress under the spotlight.

Key Stat: Benetton have won three and lost four in the Guinness PRO14 this season with their only away win in that sequence being on a trip to Edinburgh in Round Three.

Did you know? Scarlets have lost only one of their last fourteen fixtures in the Guinness PRO14: 20-27 at Ulster on 15 September

Scarlets: Johnny McNicholl, Tom Prydie, Hadleigh Parkes, Scott Williams (c), Paul Asquith, Dan Jones, Jonathan Evans; Dylan Evans, Ryan Elias, Werner Kruger, Lewis Rawlins, David Bulbring, Tadhg Beirne, Will Boyde, John Barclay

Replacements: Taylor Davies, Rhys Fawcett, Simon Gardiner, Tom Price, Josh Macleod, Declan Smith, Rhys Jones, Steff Hughes

Benetton Rugby: Jayden Hayward; Angelo Esposito, Tommaso Benvenuti, Ignacio Brex, Andrea Bronzini; Ian McKinley, Giorgio Bronzini; Cherif Traore, Tomas Baravalle, Tiziano Pasquali, Alessandro Zanni, Federico Ruzza, Whetu Douglas, Nasi Manu, Robert Barbieri (c)

Replacements: Federico Zani, Alberto De Marchi, Filippo Filippetto, Marco Lazzaroni, Sebastian Negri, Edoardo Gori, Alberto Sgarbi, Luca Sperandio

TV: BBC Wales (KO 7.35pm)

Match officials – Referee: George Clancy (IRFU), AR1: Joy Neville (IRFU), AR2: Justin Williams (IRFU), Citing Commissioner: Chris Morgan (WRU), TMO: Tim Hayes (WRU)

Guinness PRO14 Final 2018 Ticket Information: Fans can save up to 20% on selected tickets, and prices start at just €30 for adults and €5 for children, and be booked via www.ticketmaster.ie