Scarlets head coach Wayne Pivac insists he couldn’t ask for a better GUINNESS PRO12 opening fixture than hosting Ulster at Parc y Scarlets. Saturday will see Scarlets open their league season at home for the fourth straight year, although they will be hoping for better luck than 12 months ago when Leinster left Wales 42-19 victors. However that will be easier said than done as they welcome Ulster to Parc y Scarlets, the Irish side having reached the semi-finals of last season’s competition. But rather than lament the fixture list, Pivac is instead relishing the test against one of the best teams in this year’s GUINNESS PRO12. "Ulster have been a quality side for a number of years and have been in a constant in the play-offs in recent years,” he said. “We'd like to improve on our sixth place, to do that we have to be able to compete against the Ulster's and Leinster's of the competition on a weekly basis. There's no better team to have first up at home. "I'm very much looking forward to the first competitive game of the season at home, here at Parc y Scarlets. “The boys have done a lot of hard work and we've seen a couple of good runs against Bath and Gloucester – we don't read too much into the pre-season but it is encouraging and the guys are looking forward to getting back out there. "I'm looking forward to this weekend for a number of reasons." Pivac has named a strong side for the opening clash with no less than 12 internationals in the starting XV, as well as last weekend's man-of-the-match No.8 Rory Pitman, South African lock Johan Snyman and scrum cornerstone Phil John. Meanwhile, Louis Ludik, Franco van der Merwe and Wiehahn Herbst will make their competitive debuts for Ulster. Michael Allen is selected on the right wing with Jared Payne and Stuart Olding picked in the centre. Craig Gilroy starts on the left wing with Ian Humphreys and Paul Marshall maintaining their partnership in the half-backs. Up front, Callum Black starts at loosehead, Rob Herring, who won his first cap for Ireland in the summer, is selected at hooker and new summer addition Herbst, is named at tighthead. Ireland’s Dan Tuohy and Springbok Franco van der Merwe are paired in the second row, while there is an all Ireland international back row with Robbie Diack, Chris Henry starting either side of captain Roger Wilson. John Andrew is selected among the substitutes and is also set for his first competitive appearance for Ulster. Ireland international Luke Marshall and Andrew Trimble are also selected on the bench. Ulster's only victory in their last four league matches was a 19-17 win away at Munster in round 22, while in the 2013/14 campaign Ulster's only victory on their four trips to Wales came when they visited Ospreys in round five. “I’m looking forward to playing in the PRO12”, new-boy Ludik said. “This week’s game is massive. “It doesn’t matter whether you play away or at home, it’s important to win that first match. It gives you momentum and confidence. “Pre-season went well and the warm up games went well, but this is where it counts.” At Parc y Scarlets, 2.40PM. Live on Sky Sports Referee: Peter Fitzgibbon (IRFU, 56th competition game) Assistant Referees: Ian Davies, Jon Mason (both WRU) Citing Commissioner: Aurwel Morgan (WRU) TMO: Tim Hayes (WRU)
