Head coach Simon Easterby believes Scarlets’ returning internationals can take his side to the next level ahead their RaboDirect PRO12 clash with Connacht.

Ken Owens, Rhodri Jones, Jake Ball, Rhys Priestland, Liam Williams and stand-in captain Jonathan Davies all return from international duty.

With five games left in the regular season there couldn’t be a better time for Easterby to have the club’s top talent at his disposal.

And with four of their remaining games at home, Easterby hopes that advantage, allied to their returning internationals, will see Scarlets end the season on a high.

“What's advantageous to us is that we're playing four of our five remaining games at home and it's in our hands to make the top six,” he said.

“We should be confident in the ability that we have here that we've got what it takes to achieve that.
“Despite coping reasonably well during the internationals the quality the boys bring to the table now is important.

“This week is about putting in the performance and we've had a little more time together to prepare and for the players to get back into their patterns.
“The likes of Rhys and Jon have a lot of responsibility in terms of performance, they'll be able to lead us through the last five games; there are plenty of positives still to come!”

Scarlets have slipped to successive RaboDirect PRO12 losses, away at Ulster and at Glasgow. The Welshmen have won their last three matches in all tournaments at Parc y Scarlets.

Connacht have won their last four PRO12 matches and climbed from 12th to 7th spot in the table in the process. Another victory would equal their best ever run in the competition set way back in 2002.

Scarlets have won their last four encounters against Connacht, while the Irish province's most recent victory in Llanelli came in October 2004 at the old Stradey Park.

But with head coach Pat Lam once again able to name an unchanged Connacht side, he’s confident they can reverse their recent run against the Welsh region.

“Being able to put out the same team for the third fixture in a row is testament to the performance of those players selected,” he said.

“The recent team performances have been driven by huge competition for places within the squad.

“It's always been a challenge going over to play Scarlets and it's been nearly ten years since we've won at Llanelli.

“The fact that both sides are now fighting for a top six finish definitely adds some spice. Scarlets have just come off the back of two losses and will see us as a winnable game at home, especially with the amount of internationals they have in their squad.

“Despite the number of injuries we have, there is a real confidence and belief in our game and the process we need to go through to achieve the different milestones we've set out for ourselves.”

At Parc y Scarlets, 2.05pm. Live on BBC Wales and RTE Sport.

Referee: Neil Paterson (SRU, 58th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Wayne Davies, Martyn Lewis (both WRU)
Citing Commissioner: Russell Howell (WRU)
TMO: Tim Hayes (WRU)