Scarlets head coach Wayne Pivac is targeting a pivotal fortnight in the GUINNESS PRO12, starting with Glasgow Warriors’ visit on Friday night.

The Welsh region have lost just one of their last five Guinness PRO12 encounters, going down 17-6 to Munster in Limerick.

They have also not been defeated at Parc y Scarlets in the PRO12 during 2014 with their most recent loss at the venue being when Ospreys were the visitors on Boxing Day.

Their last outing in the competition was a 28-13 triumph over Zebre three weeks ago and Pivac makes just one personnel change to the starting line-up.

Regan King replaces Kristian Phillips to join Gareth Owen in the centre, with Michael Tagicakibau moving out to the wing.

Steff Evans stays at full-back after a solid display in that Zebre game and, more recently, two impressive showings in the LV= Cup.

Rhys Priestland returns to Scarlets from international duty but he has to settle for a place on the bench, with Steven Shingler retaining the No.10 jersey.

Aaron Shingler will make his 100th senior appearance for Scarlets as joins captain John Barclay – leading the side against his former club – in the back row.

And the South African pairing of George Earle and Johan Snyman pack down in the second row behind a youthful trio.

“Zebre was a valuable victory for us and the next two weeks are very important for us,” said Pivac. “The extended squad is very, very, important to us here, particularly whilst the international campaign is running.

“It's great to have Regan back in the side as a player of his quality in the ranks as he lifts the boys around him.

“Glasgow have been playing an expansive game, they have made more passes than anyone else in the league, scoring a lot of tries and their defensive work has been very good.

“They'll be a tough nut to crack and it's a very big game for us. We understand the importance of these games come the end of the season and we'll be hoping for a decent result.”

Glasgow, meanwhile, continue to breathe down GUINNESS PRO12 league leaders Ospreys’ neck with just one league defeat to their name this season.

The Warriors have won their last four contests with Welsh regions and are going for a third successive victory in Wales, having already beaten Cardiff Blues and Newport Gwent Dragons away this season.

Gregor Townsend’s men also achieved a league double over Scarlets last season for the first time since 2009/10, whilst Scarlets have not scored a try against the Warriors since Liam Williams did so in April 2013, 194 playing minutes ago.

There is a first GUINNESS PRO12 start for 18-year-old prop Zander Fagerson, while scrum-half Ali Price will make his debut.

Al Kellock returns to the fold, while Peter Murchie will play his second game in a row at full-back and Lee Jones is retained on the right wing following the victory over Benetton Treviso at the end of the October.

Rory Hughes will make his first start of the season, on the left wing, while Scotland internationals Henry Pyrgos, Peter Horne, Ryan Wilson and Chris Fusaro all start at Parc y Scarlets.

Townsend said: “The players have worked really hard this week and are looking forward to what will be a big test for the squad.

“Last week there was a big emphasis on conditioning and physicality in training, culminating in a practice match against the Scotland 7s and club players, which was a valuable exercise.

“This game is an extremely important one for the club, especially at this stage of the season, and there is a real hunger and desire within the squad to perform well down in Wales.”

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At Parc y Scarlets, 7.35pm.
Live on BBC Wales and BBC Alba
Referee: David Wilkinson (IRFU, 29th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Craig Evans, Jon Mason (both WRU)
Citing Commissioner: Dennis Jones (WRU)
TMO: Tim Hayes (WRU)