Strong Scarlets for Bath

THE Scarlets’ final pre-season match against Bath on Friday night has been given added spice with a host of Wales stars named in the starting line-ups.

Wayne Pivac takes his side to The Rec (kick-off 7.30pm) having included Leigh Halfpenny, Jonathan Davies, Steff Evans, Rhys Patchell and new signing Sam Hildago-Clyne in the back division.

Up front Rob Evans, Ryan Elias and Samson Lee form an allinternational front row and there is a debut for new Kiwi signing Blade Thomson.

Bath meanwhile have made former Scarlet Rhys Patchell captain and also given starts to Jamie Roberts, who joined from Harlequins this summer, veteran lock Luke Charteris and No.8 superstar Taulupe Faletau.

As well as confirming the starting XV, head coach Todd Blackadder has named an extended squad of 30 for the encounter.

Pivac said: “We learned a lot from the performance against Bristol last week, despite the terrible conditions, and we’ll hopefully be able to build on that against Bath on Friday.

“Last weekend’s game was more of a trial whilst the second of our two friendlies is more of a dress rehearsal.”

Scarlets:

L Halfpenny; T Prydie, J Davies (c), K Fonotia, S Evans; R Patchell, S Hildago-Clyne; R Evans, R Elias, S Lee; D Bulbring, S Cummins; B Thomson, J Davies, U Cassiem.

K Owens, P Price, W Kruger, E Kennedy, J Macleod, K Hardy, D Jones, C Blommetjies, T Price, S Hughes.

T Homer; S Rokoduguni, J Willison, J Roberts, J Wilson; R Priestland (c), C Cook; W Vaughan, T Dunn, H Thomas; D Attwood, L Charteris; Z Mercer, S Underhill, T Faletau.

Reps: Bath: