Nicholas wings in to make European debut
THE Scarlets hand a European debut to Wales Under-20s wing Ioan Nicholas as they head into the vital Heineken Champions Cup clash with Leicester Tigers at Welford Road tonight (7.45pm).
The cousin of Nigel Owens has impressed when called on this season, notably in the Guinness PRO14 encounter against Southern Kings, when he scored a try.
His challenge will be to fill the significant void left by Johnny McNicholl, who is ruled out after picking up a knock towards the end of the 14-13 defeat by Racing 92 last weekend .
The unavailability of Rhys Patchell because of concussion and Angus O’Brien because of a knee problem that is set to keep him out for the majority of the season means Dan Jones comes in at fly-half.
Steff Hughes, normally a centre, provides the back-up at No. 10 from the bench.
A further change from the side that lost to Racing sees Josh Macleod come into the back row at the expense of Ed Kennedy. Macleod features at openside, allowing Will Boyde to move to No. 8 and Blade Thomson to figure at blindside.
L. Halfpenny; I. Nicholas, J. Davies, H. Parkes, S. Evans; D. Jones, G. Davies; W. Jones, K. Owens (capt), S. Lee, T. Price, D. Bulbring, B. Thomson, W. Boyde, J. Macleod.
R. Elias, P. Price, W. Kruger, J. Helps, U. Cassiem, S. Hidalgo-Clyne, S. Hughes, P. Asquith.
Scarlets: Reps: