Ryan Elias to make 200th appearance in Cardiff opener

Ryan Elias will lead out the side on his 200th appearance as Scarlets launch their 2026-27 BKT United Rugby Championship campaign with a massive Welsh derby against Cardiff on Saturday evening (19:45).

The Wales international hooker, a product of Carmarthen Athletic RFC, came through the Scarlets pathway, making his debut in 2013 and is now in his 14th season with the club.

Coaches’ player of the season in 2015, Elias remains an integral figure within the squad and is one of 10 internationals named in the Scarlets match-day 23.

Blair Murray, Ellis Mee and Macs Page will provide the back-three threat with Eddie James and Joe Roberts continuing in an all-international midfield pairing.

Sam Costelow is ruled out following a head knock against Saracens last weekend, so new signing Gareth Anscombe makes his URC debut for the Scarlets at 10 and links up with Dane Blacker at half-back.

Up front, loose-head prop Sam O’Connor makes his first URC start and packs down alongside Elias and Henry Thomas. Corey Domachowski is ruled out with a chest injury sustained against Saracens.

Another URC debutant, 20-year-old lock Will Evans, joins Harvey Cuckson in the second row.

Tonga international Sam Lousi starts at blindside alongside skipper Josh Macleod and 20-year-old No. 8 Osian Williams, who stood out in last weekend’s pre-season clash with Sarries.

Like Evans, Wales U20s cap Williams will make his URC bow.

On the bench, Ioan Jones, Joe Hawkins and Archie Hughes provide the backline cover, with new signings John McKee and Alex Groves, Josh Morse, Gabe Hawley and Tristan Davies covering the pack.

Scarlets Director of Rugby Nigel Davies said: “It’s a huge game for us, a great fixture to have to kick off the season.

“We’ve been happy with how pre-season has gone, we have had an honest review of where we were, a lot of work has gone on behind the scenes, a lot of detail, new coaches, new players and we have intensified the coaching process for the group that we had here.

“We have seen a lot of growth, particularly among the younger group. We have seen players like Will Evans and Osian Williams, who have been exposed to that level of intensity, step up and both were outstanding for us against a strong Saracens side last weekend. They get their opportunity on Saturday.”

Davies added: “What we’re going to see is a Scarlets team with intent, wanting to play quickly, wanting to excite our crowd and wanting to be hugely competitive and abrasive.

“Hopefully we can have a big crowd here and what they will see is a truly committed team.”

Scarlets team versus Cardiff (Parc y Scarlets, 19:45; S4C & Premier Sports)

15 Blair Murray; 14 Ellis Mee, 13 Joe Roberts, 12 Eddie James, 11 Macs Page; 10 Gareth Anscombe, 9 Dane Blacker; 1 Sam O’Connor, 2 Ryan Elias, 3 Henry Thomas, 4 Harvey Cuckson, 5 Will Evans, 6 Sam Lousi, 7 Josh Macleod (capt), 8 Osian Williams.

Reps: 16 John McKee, 17 Josh Morse, 18 Gabe Hawley, 19 Alex Groves, 20 Tristan Davies, 21 Archie Hughes, 22 Joe Hawkins, 23 Ioan Jones.

Unavailable because of illness/injury

Archer Holz, Taine Plumtree, Fletcher Anderson, Corey Domachowski, Sam Costelow, Kemsley Mathias, Johnny Williams, Harry Thomas, Carwyn Leggatt-Jones, Isaac Young, Elis Price.