Three changes to Scarlets side for Champions Cup opener

Head coach Dwayne Peel has made three changes to the Scarlets starting XV for Saturday’s Investec Champions Cup opener against Bristol Bears at Parc y Scarlets (20:00; S4C & Premier Sports).

All the changes come behind the scrum with Wales internationals Tom Rogers, Johnny Williams and Ellis Mee taking their place in the backline.

Rogers, scorer of a historic hat-trick against the All Blacks in the autumn, has recovered from a hamstring issue to take his place on the right wing; Mee slots onto the left wing, while Williams - who missed last weekend’s win over Glasgow because of a HIA - is restored to midfield.

With Blair Murray carrying a knock following Wales’ Autumn Nation Series, Jac Davies continues in the No. 15 jersey following his accomplished performance against the Warriors. It will be Davies’s European debut.

Williams links with Eddie James in midfield, while Gareth Davies and Costelow continue at half-back.

It’s a vote of confidence for the pack, who were outstanding as a unit against Glasgow.

Kemsley Mathias, Ryan Elias and Archer Holz start in the front row, Jake Ball and Sam Lousi in the engine room, while Max Douglas - player of the match last Saturday - skipper Josh Macleod and No. 8 Fletcher Anderson are named in the back row.

Wales international Taine Plumtree is ruled out because of a rib injury picked up against South Africa.

With lock Harvey Cuckson unavailable for the Champions Cup, Jarrod Taylor comes onto the replacements’ bench along with Wales duo Joe Hawkins and Joe Roberts.

Head coach Dwayne Peel said: “We spoke at the start of the week about how hard we worked last season to reach the URC play-offs and qualify for the Champions Cup and it is awesome to be back in this tournament for the first time in three years.

“We are coming off the back of a good win over Glasgow, which has given us a bit of momentum coming into the tournament, but we know Bristol are a quality side who like to throw the ball about - that is their DNA - it should be an exciting contest.

“This club has a proud tradition in Europe, we have had some big nights here at Parc y Scarlets and at Stradey. Hopefully there will be a big crowd, the Anglo-Welsh rivalry always adds a bit of extra spice and we can enjoy another great occasion here.”

Scarlets team to face Bristol Bears on Saturday, December 6 (20:00; S4C & Premier Sports)

15 Jac Davies; 14 Tom Rogers, 13 Eddie James, 12 Johnny Williams, 11 Ellis Mee; 10 Sam Costelow, 9 Gareth Davies; 1 Kemsley Mathias, 2 Ryan Elias, 3 Archer Holz, 4 Sam Lousi, 5 Jake Ball, 6 Max Douglas, 7 Josh Macleod (capt), 8 Fletcher Anderson.

Reps: 16 Marnus van der Merwe, 17 Sam O’Connor, 18 Henry Thomas, 19 Jarrod Taylor, 20 Dan Davis, 21 Dane Blacker, 22 Joe Hawkins, 23 Joe Roberts.

Unavailable because of injury/illness

Taine Plumtree, Blair Murray, Ioan Nicholas, Archie Hughes, Alec Hepburn, Tristan Davies, Jac Price, Ioan Jones, Will Evans, Dom Kossuth.