Despite their mid-table league position Scarlets have proved every inch the match for GUINNESS PRO12 title-chasers Ulster Rugby and head coach Wayne Pivac had backed his men to come out on top in their ‘decider’.

Friday’s contest at the Kingspan Stadium will see the teams meet for the fourth time this season. Their corresponding league fixture ended in a thrilling 32-32 draw back in September, while each won their respective home game when they met in European competition.

Scarlets have made just one change from the starting XV that drew with Munster last weekend, South African lock George Earle replacing compatriot Johan Snyman, who is sidelined by concussion – one of 15 first-team players unavailable.

But Pivac believes his team, winless on the road in 12 months, can come out on top.

“The boys are really keen to go over there and have a real crack,” he told the South Wales Evening Post.

“Both teams are affected by international selections. Both teams are changed sides from the games in December, but certainly they are a very tough side at home, like all teams in this competition seem to be.

“We have had three really good games with them. This is the decider – that is how we are approaching it.”

Loosehead prop Rhys Thomas has been named among the replacements, with Rob Evans away on international duty, as has Jacobie Adriaanse, though he will travel from Wales after his team-mates with his wife due to give birth to their first child imminently.

Second-placed Ulster have made three changes to the side that scored a narrow win over Edinburgh Rugby last weekend.

Ireland second row Dan Tuohy starts after injury, while Luke Marshall plays at inside centre with Stuart McCloskey missing through suspension. Clive Ross replaces Mike McComish at openside flanker.

Fly-half Ian Humphreys is set to make his 100th Ulster appearance weekend as they chase a third league win in a row.

Victories over Benetton Treviso and Edinburgh since the resumption of a month-long break from GUINNESS PRO12 action have kept Ulster hot on the heels of league leaders Glasgow Warriors.

But head coach Neil Doak wants to see performance levels improve on Friday and in next week’s trip to Newport Gwent Dragons to keep their hopes of a top-four finish firmly intact.

“We’ve talked about this block of four games and it’s vital we come out on top. We have put two to bed without playing particularly well,” Doak told the Belfast Telegraph.

“We aren’t happy with the performances but we’re happy with the end product because we’re trying to create a platform from which we can kick on for the rest of the season.”

At Kingspan Stadium, 7.35pm. Live on BBC NI
Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU, 4th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Kieran Barry, Dermot Blake (both IRFU)
Citing Commissioner: John Cole (IRFU)
TMO: Marshall Kilgore (IRFU)

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