Fletcher Anderson to skipper Scarlets in Galway

Fletcher Anderson will lead the Scarlets for the first time in Friday’s rescheduled BKT United Rugby Championship clash with Connacht in Galway (19:45; Premier Sports).

The 23-year-old No. 8 takes over the armband from club captain Josh Macleod, who has been retained by Wales ahead of their Six Nations finale against Italy.

Anderson skippers a side showing four personnel and three positional changes from the team that travelled to Edinburgh in round 12.

With Tom Rogers also unavailable, Jac Davies moves to the right wing and Ioan Jones - who had an impressive second-half cameo in the Scottish capital - is handed his first URC start for the club at full-back.

Johnny Williams has recovered from injury to partner Joe Roberts, who moves to 13, while Macs Page switches to the left wing.

Wales U20s fly-half Carwyn Leggatt-Jones continues in the No.10 jersey and is partnered by Gareth Davies.

Up front, there is a more settled look.

The front five of Kemsley Mathias, Marnus van der Merwe, Henry Thomas, Sam Lousi and Jake Ball is unchanged.

In the back row, Jarrod Taylor comes in at openside in place of Macleod.

On the bench, with Alec Hepburn having been training with the Scotland camp this week, Sam O’Connor covers loose-head prop. Older brother Harri O’Connor, Harry Thomas, Jac Price and Dan Davis make up the rest of the forward replacements.

Archie Hughes, Gabe McDonald and Tomi Lewis cover the backline.

Interim Director of Rugby Nigel Davies said: “Considering we are missing so many players with Wales, I am really happy with the side we are able to select this weekend. It is a strong, competitive squad travelling over there with a lot of exciting players and these boys are capable of fronting up.

“Connacht’s philosophy is to be a side who look to work harder than anyone else, they will always be physical and have had a couple of good results recently. It is going to be a tough challenge, but for us, it is about looking to take our game to the next stage.

“Physicality is going to be huge going into this game, we know what’s coming at us. I thought we lacked a bit of physicality in Edinburgh, I am expecting to see a more dynamic team and more physical team this weekend.”

Scarlets team to face Connacht Rugby on Friday, March 13 (19:45; Premier Sports)

15 Ioan Jones; 14 Jac Davies, 13 Joe Roberts, 12 Johnny Williams, 11 Macs Page; 10 Carwyn Leggatt-Jones, 9 Gareth Davies; 1 Kemsley Mathias, 2 Marnus van der Merwe, 3 Henry Thomas, 4 Sam Lousi, 5 Jake Ball, 6 Max Douglas, 7 Jarrod Taylor, 8 Fletcher Anderson (capt).

Reps: 16 Harry Thomas, 17 Sam O’Connor, 18 Harri O’Connor, 19 Jac Price, 20 Dan Davis, 21 Archie Hughes, 22 Gabe McDonald, 23 Tomi Lewis.

Unavailable because of injury

Taine Plumtree, Ioan Nicholas, Archer Holz, Josh Morse, Will Evans, Elis Price, Isaac Young, Callum Woolley, Iori Badham.

Unavailable because of international duty

Josh Macleod, Tom Rogers, Sam Costelow, Blair Murray, Ellis Mee, Joe Hawkins, Eddie James, Ryan Elias, Jac Pritchard, Dom Kossuth, Osian Willams.