Two teams coming off a first defeat of the season will go head-to-head at Parc y Scarlets on Saturday as Richard Cockerill’s Edinburgh head to West Wales. The game, which kicks off at 7.35pm, is an intra-conference encounter in Conference B. What’s at stake? Edinburgh had made a dream start under Richard Cockerill, but were surprised at home to Benetton Rugby last week despite leading 14-0 early on in the game. Scarlets also saw their unbeaten start to the season ended as their comeback bid at Ulster ultimately fell short. Team news (Scarlets): Wayne Pivac has stuck with largely the same team that fell just short in Belfast, with Jonathan Davies returning to start in the only change to the starting XV. He comes in at outside centre, with Hadleigh Parkes shifting to 12, while Aled Davies and Paul Asquith both come onto the bench. Team news (Edinburgh): Cockerill has responded to the Benetton loss by ringing the changes, with seven new faces in the starting XV. In the backs one former Chiefs centre replaces another, with Phil Burleigh in for Robbie Fruean, while Tom Brown gets the nod over Damien Hoyland. Up front there are five changes in all, including a new-look back row of Jamie Ritchie, Hamish Watson and skipper Magnus Bradbury at No.8. Talking points: Saturday’s encounter will represent a century of Scarlets appearances for tighthead prop Samson Lee, who starts in the front row next to skipper Ken Owens. Still only 24, Lee will lead the team onto the field, while teammate Jonathan Davies makes his first start of the campaign following his Lions exploits. Key Battle: Will Boyde v Hamish Watson Much has been made of the absence of James Davies for the Scarlets, but in Will Boyde they have one of the breakthrough players of last season. The 22-year-old will fill in at openside flanker this weekend and faces a tough challenge against Hamish Watson. The Edinburgh flanker has established himself as Scotland’s top option in the position, despite strong competition, and will be looking to lay down a marker on his return to the side. Key Stat: Edinburgh are aiming for a third straight victory on the road, a feat they have not managed since September 2009. Did you know? Scarlets fly-half Rhys Patchell has kicked 11 out of 11 so far this season to lead the way in the goal-kicking charts. Finn Russell is the only other player with a perfect record on five kicks off more, having made nine from nine. Scarlets: L Halfpenny; J McNicholl, J Davies, H Parkes, S Evans; R Patchell, G Davies; R Evans, K Owens, S Lee, J Ball, T Beirne, A Shingler, W Boyde, J Barclay. Replacements: R Elias, W Jones, W Kruger, D Bulbring, J Macleod, A Davies, R Jones, P Asquith Edinburgh: B Kinghorn; T Brown, C Dean, P Burleigh, J Harries; D Weir, N Fowles; M Rizzo, S McInally, WP Nel; B Toolis, G Gilchrist; J Ritchie, H Watson, M Bradbury. Replacements: R Ford, D Marfo, S Berghan, F McKenzie, J Hardie, S Hidalgo-Clyne, J Tovey, R Fruean. TV: S4C (KO 7.35pm) Match officials – Referee: John Lacey (IRFU), AR1: David Wilkinson (IRFU), AR2: Gwyn Morris (WRU) TMO: Brian MacNiece (IRFU) 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
