Scarlets head coach Simon Easterby insists his players must focus on their own performance and the result should come against Zebre in the RaboDirect PRO12 this weekend.

The two sides have met on three previous occasions, Scarlets winning both games last season but sharing a 16-all draw in Parma in round six this campaign.

Easterby has made six changes, one positional, with international scrum-half Rhodri Williams the only change amongst the backline.

Rhys Priestland will take charge at outside half and former England international Olly Barkley also starts, while Jordan Williams, Kristian Phillips and Liam Williams cover the back three.

Aaron Shingler makes his first regional start since the side's defeat to Harlequins at Parc y Scarlets in the European Cup in January and Josh Turnbull moves to the right flank with Tongan international Sione Timani packing down at No.8.

South African lock George Earle also makes a return from injury and will partner international lock Jake Ball in the second row.

A new-look front row sees loosehead prop Rob Evans and hooker Emyr Phillips come in alongside Welsh tighthead prop Rhodri Jones.

Despite the changes, Easterby is keen to see an improved performance against the Italians.

"I think we only have to look back to the end of October when we travelled away to Zebre, we were lucky to come away with a draw on that day,” said Easterby

"Our driver from here on in is our own performance. Results more often than not fall in after that. If we get the performance right then that's the most important thing.”

Scarlets have won their last four matches at Parc y Scarlets in all tournaments, since Harlequins beat them there in the European Cup on January 19.

Scarlets’ only defeat to an Italian opponent in their last six such contests was at home to Treviso in round 22 last season.

Zebre drew 25-all at home to the Dragons in round 18 and are attempting to achieve back-to-back undefeated games for the first time.

Zebre's record against Welsh regions this season is won two, drawn two and lost two but only seven on the starting XV which took on the Dragons last time out.

Gonzalo Garcia, Tommaso Iannone, Brendon Leonard, Samuela Vunisa, Filippo Ferrarini, Quintin Geldenhuys and Salvatore Perugini are the survivors and head coach Andrea Cavinato says they need to improve.

He said: "Our aim for the season was to grow and finish with more than 20 points in the table: objective managed.

“Now we need to show cool heads to improve and ensure we perform even better next year. We not yet clinical enough in attack, while in defence we still give away some silly penalties, giving up points that we don't need to.”

At Parc y Scarlets 6.30pm. Live on S4C/Mediaset
Referee: Andrew McMenemy (SRU, 28th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Wayne Davies, Chris Williams (WRU)
Citing Commissioner: John Charles (WRU)
TMO: Tim Hayes (WRU)