Scarlets name side to take on Dragons

Wales international Blair Murray returns to the Scarlets starting line-up for the BKT United Rugby Championship New Year’s Day Welsh derby against Dragons RFC at Parc y Scarlets (17:15; S4C & Premier Sports).

Murray is one of four personnel changes from the team beaten late on by the Ospreys in Swansea last time out.

With Murray coming onto the left wing, Ellis Mee switches to the right wing and Tom Rogers moves to full-back.

Joe Roberts gets the nod in midfield and he partners Johnny Williams. Sam Costelow and Gareth Davies continue at half-back.

There are a couple of changes up front, including a start for Alec Hepburn at loose-head prop.

Alex Craig comes into the second row to partner Sam Lousi, while Max Douglas moves into the back row alongside skipper Josh Macleod and Taine Plumtree, who wears the No. 8 jersey. Vaea Fifita is named amongst the replacements.

Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel said: “I thought the Dragons were robust and carried hard against Cardiff on Boxing Day and we are expecting them to be extremely competitive and physical again. Obviously, we were disappointed after what happened in Swansea because we felt it was a game we lost more than anything else and credit to Ospreys for taking their chances when they came.

“The boys have been able to spend some time with their families over Christmas and have come in ready for another massive challenge. Home games are always vitally important, regardless of who you play. We had great support in Swansea and we want to put in a big performance in front of our fans.”

Scarlets team to play Dragons at Parc y Scarlets on Wednesday, January 1 (5.15pm; S4C & Premier Sport)

15 Tom Rogers; 14 Ellis Mee, 13 Joe Roberts, 12 Johnny Williams, 11 Blair Murray; 10 Sam Costelow, 9 Gareth Davies; 1 Alec Hepburn, 2 Marnus van der Merwe, 3 Henry Thomas, 4 Alex Craig 5 Sam Lousi, 6 Max Douglas, 7 Josh Macleod (capt), 8 Taine Plumtree.

Reps: 16 Shaun Evans, 17 Kemsley Mathias, 18 Archer Holz, 19 Vaea Fifita, 20 Jarrod Taylor, 21 Archie Hughes, 22 Ioan Lloyd, 23 Eddie James.

Unavailable because of injury

Sam Wainwright, Dan Davis, Ryan Elias, Tomi Lewis, Steff Evans, Harri O’Connor, Josh Morse.