Halfpenny makes welcome return to action in Champions challenge

LEIGH Halfpenny is set to make his return from concussion when the Scarlets welcome Sale in the Champions Cup today (5.30pm).

The Wales international suffered the head knock during the dramatic 25-24 victory over Scotland at Murrayfield in February.

He was not selected in any of the following four Wales matches but starts for the Scarlets this weekend.

Halfpenny is joined by another six of Wales’ recent Six Nations winners, including Liam Williams, who features on the wing with Johnny Williams taking his spot in the midfield.

Scrum-half Gareth Davies is straight back into the side, as is loosehead Wyn Jones and captain Ken Owens. Jake Ball is at lock. Centre Jonathan Davies is named on the bench.

Elsewhere in a dangerous-looking Scarlets side, Johnny McNicholl completes the back three and Steff Hughes partners Williams in the midfield.

Dan Jones is at fly-half with Pieter Scholtz lining up alongside the pair of Welsh internationals in the front row.

Sam Lousi partners Jake Ball at lock with Aaron Shingler, Jac Morgan and Sione Kalamafoni forming a formidable back row.

“Sale are a very good team and very physical as you would expect with their South African influence, they have some world-class performers and some big-game performers,” said Scarlets boss Glenn Delaney.

“For us, it’s about playing our game our way. It’s going to be a game of chess between two incredibly contrasting styles. it’s going to be a great battle.

“It’s been great to have the Wales internationals back after their Six Nations success; we’re also three wins from our last four matches so there has been a real buzz about the place this week. We’re all looking forward to a big European knockout tie.”

Meanwhile, WillGriff John, who is joining the Scarlets this summer, lines up against on the tight-head for Sale.

SCARLETS: L Halfpenny; L Williams, S Hughes, J Williams, J McNicholl; D Jones, G Davies; W Jones, K Owens (c), P Scholtz, J Ball, S Lousi, A

Shingler, J Morgan, S Kalamafoni. Reps: R Elias, S Thomas, J Sebastian, L Rawlins, B Thomson, D Blacker, S Costelow, Jonathan Davies.

SALE SHARKS: S Hammersley; B McGuigan, S James, R Janse van Rensburg, MYarde; AJ MacGinty, F De Klerk; B Rodd, A Van der Merwe, W John, J Wiese, J Beaumont (c), JL du Preez, T Curry, D du Preez. Reps: C Langdon, R Harrison, C Oosthuizen, S Phillips, C Neild, R Quirke, R du Preez, L James.

REFEREE:

(France).

Mathieu Raynal

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