Scarlets take on Glasgow Warriors on Saturday at 19:35 in Llanelli as sixth hosts third in a meeting that will see two in-form sides do battle. What’s at stake: The Welsh outfit have won their last four matches in the Guinness PRO12 to climb the table and they will need to use that momentum to overcome the Scots, who were impressive in their victory over Treviso last week. A Warriors win will keep the pressure on fellow frontrunners Ospreys and Leinster – the three clubs share the lead atop the table – while a Scarlets win could see them close the gap on Ulster who sit a place above them. Team news (Scarlets): Scarlets head coach Wayne Pivac named an unchanged side from the bonus-point victory over Cardiff Blues last time out. Team news (Glasgow Warriors): Gregor Townsend had the luxury of naming four Scotland players in their starting XV after they were released to play by Vern Cotter. Peter Horne and Rob Harley will co-captain Warriors from 10 and 6 respectively while second row Tim Swinson and centre Mark Bennett also start. Canada international prop Djustice Sears-Duru and New Zealand-born lock Brian Alainu’uese are in the Warriors’ starting XV for the first time and will go up against a settled Scarlets pack that has helped their side to victory in their last three home games. Key battle: In-form Scarlets fly-half Rhys Patchell will go up against Peter Horne, who will be out to impress Scotland coach Vern Cotter before he names his squad to play the Wallabies. Key stat: Scarlets have not won four in a row at home since the start of last season. Glasgow Warriors have won their last three matches in the Guinness PRO12, their solitary defeat on the road came on a visit to Cardiff Blues in round 3. Lions contenders: Mark Bennett could well force his way into Warren Gatland’s thinking with a strong autumn – the centre scored three tries for Scotland at last year’s Rugby World Cup. Another Scot, John Barclay, has been a staple of Cotter’s Scotland squads ever since being recalled last year following more than 18 months out in the cold – and he has been a standout in the back-row for Scarlets since his move in 2013. Did you know? The Scottish side have won on three of their last four visits to Llanelli. Scarlets: A Thomas; DTH van der Merwe, S Hughes, H Parkes [c], S Evans, R Patchell, J Evans; W Jones, R Elias, W Kruger, T Price, D Bulbring, A Shingler, W Boyde, J Barclay. Replacements: E Phillips, D Evans, P Edwards, L Rawlins, J Davies, A Davies, D Jones, G Owen Top Points Scorer: R Patchell 49. Top Try Scorer: DTH van der Merwe 2 Glasgow Warriors: P Murchie, L Jones, M Bennett, S Johnson, R Hughes, P Horne [co-captain], A Price; D Sears-Duru, P MacArthur, S Puafisi, T Swinson, B Alainu’uese, R Harley [co-captain], S Favaro, L Wynne Replacements: C Flynn, J Bhatti, D Rae, M Fagerson, L Haupeakui, G Hart, R Clegg, N Grigg. Top Points Scorer: T Seymour 35. Top Try Scorer: T Seymour 7. Match officials – Referee: Gary Conway (IRFU). Assistant Referee 1: David Wilkinson (IRFU). AR2: Neil Jones (WRU). TMO: Olly Hodges (IRFU) Overall Guinness PRO12 head to head record: Played 26, Scarlets won 12, Warriors won 14. At Parc y Scarlets 7.35pm. Live on S4C and BBC Alba Referee: Gary Conway (IRFU, 25th competition game) Assistant Referees: David Wilkinson (IRFU) Neil Jones (WRU) Citing Commissioner: Aurwell Morgan (WRU) TMO: Olly Hodges (IRFU)
