Scarlets entertain Leinster in Llanelli under the Friday Night Lights at 19:35 GMT as the Guinness PRO12 returns from its three-week hiatus. What’s at stake? Leinster are in superb form in the Guinness PRO12 – they have not lost since Round 2 in early September and head into this match on a six-game winning streak. A win would solidify their position at the top of the pile, with second-place Munster currently trailing behind by three points. The three defeats in a row that opened Scarlets’ season seem far in the distance now, as Wayne Pivac’s men have won five on the bounce and shot up the table into sixth. With another victory against Leinster, and if results go their way elsewhere, they could feasibly end the weekend inside the top four. Team news (Scarlets): Super Rugby star Johnny McNicholl is the headline act on Friday as he makes his first-team debut for Scarlets after arriving from the Crusaders. He is the only change – on the right wing – to the team that beat Glasgow Warriors in the last round of the Guinness PRO12 on November 5. Team news (Leinster): Leinster on the other hand have made four changes from the team – mostly in the pack – that toppled Zebre. Peter Dooley comes in at loosehead, Ian Nagle slots into the second-row alongside Mike McCarthy and Dominic Ryan packs down on the blindside flank. The final change sees Rory O’Loughlin partner Noel Reid in the centres after recovering from a shoulder injury. Talking points: McNicholl has been enjoying some well-earned rest since finishing a full slate of Super Rugby over the summer – but he’s itching to make his debut for Scarlets. And according to the 26-year-old, he has been in top form ever since putting pen to paper with the Welsh region in March. “I thought I started playing really well as soon as I signed for the Scarlets; I got that weight off my shoulders, I knew what I was doing for the next two and a half years, I wasn’t playing for another contract, I was free with my rugby and did what I naturally did well. “Hopefully, I can continue that form here with the Scarlets.” Meanwhile, McCarthy is eager to prove he has got a lot left in the tank for both club and country after the Leinster lock returned from injury just before the break. “I thought I was building and improving but it was really frustrating getting the injury,” said the 34-year-old. “Happy the last two weeks, happy with my performances against Connacht and Zebre, obviously I know I can always be better and do things better and try and improve.” Key Battle: Scarlets openside flanker – and Olympic silver medallist – James Davies has a league-best ten turnovers already this year but on Friday he will meet the man who would be king. Leinster’s Dan Leavy, who earned his first Ireland cap earlier this month, will be lining up on the other side having himself recorded nine turnovers in the Guinness PRO12. Key stat: The last five encounters between the two sides have been won by the home side on the day, while Leinster’s most recent success at Parc y Scarlets was their 42-19 win on the opening round of the 2013/14 season. Did you know? The Leinstermen have won their last three away games in the Guinness PRO12 but have not won four in a row on the road in the Championship since 2013. Scarlets: A Thomas; J McNicholl, S Hughes, H Parkes, S Evans; R Patchell, J Evans; W Jones, R Elias, W Kruger; T Price, D Bulbring; A Shingler, J Davies W Boyde. Replacements: E Phillips, D Evans, P Edwards, T Beirne, J Macleod, A Davies, D Jones, G Owen Top Points Scorer: 61 – Rhys Patchell. Top Try Scorer: 3 – Liam Williams/Steffan Evans/Jonathan Evans/Will Boyde Leinster: I Nacewa; A Byrne, R O’Loughlin, N Reid, B Daly; R Byrne, J Gibson-Park; P Dooley, R Strauss, M Bent; M McCarthy, I Nagle; D Ryan, D Leavy, J Conan. Replacements: J Tracy, A Porter, O Heffernan, R Molony, P Timmins, L McGrath, T Daly, Z Kirchner Top Points Scorer: 47 – Isa Nacewa. Top Try Scorer: 4 – Adam Byrne. TV: BBC Wales (KO 7.35pm) Match officials – Referee: Sean Gallagher (IRFU). Assistant Referee 1: Elgan Williams (WRU) AR2: ), Leo Colgan (IRFU).
