Scarlets attack coach Mark Jones has demanded that his side bring their European form back into domestic action ahead of their trip to Zebre on Friday on the RaboDirect PRO12. The Welsh region kicked off their Heineken Cup campaign in fine style with a win at Harlequins and a hard-fought draw against Racing Metro. But with only two wins from their first five clashes in the RaboDirect PRO12 attention now turns to climbing up the table from their current position of eighth. And a trip to Zebre, who have already beaten Welsh opposition this season with their historic win over Cardiff Blues, is the first chance Jones and co get to halt their domestic slump. “The fact that our team were frustrated in the dressing room with a draw to Racing Metro says a lot about how much we believed we could take that victory against a side with significantly more resources at their disposal and packed with international stars on the field and bench,” he said. “That ambition came together in the Heineken Cup and now we have to bring that level of intensity, hunger and consistency to our league form. “We know that Zebre have been building as a team and are no push-overs and they have a decent try scoring record in this competition; so we know we have a lot to do over there and ensure our execution is the right level. “This game may not have the profile around it as last weekend's but the team knows these away games were a vital element in us achieving a top-four spot in the PRO12 last season – and that's our target again.” Scarlets have made a few changes to the side that earned a draw in France as the half-back pairing of Rhys Priestland and Rhodri Williams are rested, in their place come the fit-again Gareth Davies and Steven Shingler. Romanian international Horatiu Pungea also gets his first start for the Welsh region in the front-row. Zebre meanwhile, are looking for their first home win of the season and Salvatore Perugini returns from injury to take his place in the front-row. In the second row Michael Van Vuren will earn his first competitive start in the RaboDirect PRO12 this season, pairing with captain Marco Bortolami. And the Italian team manager Fabio Ongaro insists his side are desperate to taste victory again after that momentous night against the Cardiff Blues. “We have a positive pressure because we aim to live the great feelings of a win again,” he said. “We'll face a team who is in a good form, maybe the best form of all the RaboDirect PRO12 sides after big performances in the Heineken Cup first games. “We have the luck to challenge new opponents on a weekly basis: this help us to put our best on the field soon, after a disappointing result last Saturday against Connacht.” At Stadio XXV Aprile, 7.30pm local time (6.30pm UK & Ireland). Live on Mediaset Referee: John Lacey (IRFU, 31st competition game) Assistant Referees: Stefano Penne, Stefano Roscini (both FIR) Citing Commissioner: Maurizio Vancini (FIR) TMO: Carlo Damasco (FIR)
