Scarlets head coach Simon Easterby believes his young troops deserve their chance against RaboDirect PRO12 rivals Munster after showing what they can do against Connacht.

Missing a host of Wales internationals, the Scarlets responded to an early Connacht try to chalk up a second win in all competitions but just a first in three RaboDirect PRO12 matches.

Now in fifth place they host Munster, who are just one point and one place below them in the table and on the back of five wins in their last six matches in all competitions.

Easterby however, has made just three changes to his side, keeping faith with 20-year-old fly-half Owen Williams, who won the man-of-the-match award on his RaboDirect PRO12 debut last time out.

Back three international Liam Williams returns to the wing; fully fit Gareth Maule comes back to centre and South African tight head prop Jacobie Adriaanse returns to the starting line-up.

Easterby said: "We've not made many changes to the starting line-up that won against Connacht, the boys that worked hard deserve their chance again and it's important to try and get some continuity in the team for this block of rugby.

"It's tight at the top of the league table, so this game is a huge one for both sides as it's a chance to take points away from each other.

"We knew how important the four league games were going to be for our season and it was good start last weekend – but there's still a lot of work to do and we have to back that up with a performance this weekend.”

Munster have won their last two RaboDirect PRO12 matches but have not won three on the bounce on the road since the 2010-11 season.

They will also be gunning for revenge after going down 13-6 at home to the Scarlets earlier in the season and will be bidding to avoid the Welsh region doing the double over them for the first time in nine campaigns.

Rob Penney has tinkered with his backline with Ronan O’Gara returning at fly-half, Ian Keatley switching to full-back, Denis Hurley moving to the wing and Danny Barnes dropping to the bench.

Mike Sherry captain’s the side from hooker with Wian du Preez coming into the front row while Donncha O’Callaghan returns to the second row and Tommy O’Donnell and Paddy Butler return in the back row.

Reviewing Munster’s 30-3 over Edinburgh last time out and looking ahead to the Scarlets clash, Penney said: “We did some good stuff in the early part of the game to set ourselves up for what was a really good second half.

“We gave away a few penalties at scrum-time which hampered our ability to get some flow, but we built into the game nicely.

“All in all I’m excited going into the Scarlets fixture.”

At Parc y Scarlets , 6.30pm Live on S4C/RTE Sport
Referee: Dudley Phillips (IRFU, 31st competition game)
Assistant Referees: Neil Hennessy, Simon Rees (both WRU)
Citing Commissioner: Russell Howell (WRU)
TMO: Gareth Simmonds (WRU)