Davies, Lee to make return as Scarlets seek Euro lift
WALES internationals James Davies and Samson Lee will make a timely return to action for the Scarlets ynight for their must-win European Champions Cup tie against Ulster (7.45pm).
Davies has made an earlierthan-anticipated comeback from a knee injury suffered in September, while Lee has recovered from the hamstring issue that forced him to miss Wales’ autumn series campaign.
Openside Davies, who was outstanding against Argentina on Wales’ summer tour, has been sorely missed by the Scarlets, particularly his pilfering ability at the breakdown.
Lee’s availability is also a boost considering the scrum issues the West Walians endured in Glasgow last weekend.
There is one significant surprise in Wayne Pivac’s selection with Wales centre Hadleigh Parkes missing out to Kieron Fonotia in midfield.
Fonotia, a summer signing from the Ospreys, has enjoyed an impressive start to life across the Loughor and continues his partnership with Jonathan Davies.
Elsewhere, Gareth Davies and skipper Ken Owens -- rested for the bitterly disappointing 29-20 loss in Scotstoun -- return, but lock Jake Ball misses out after failing to come through his head injury protocols.
That means Lewis Rawlins steps into the second row and will make his 100th appearance for the Scarlets. He partners South African David Bulbring.
“We had a big session in the classroom this week, a lot longer than normal because we weren’t happy with the display we put out against Glasgow,” said Pivac.
The Scarlets go into the match bottom of Pool 4 with just one point to their name from defeats to Racing 92 and Leicester.
Ulster include Ireland internationals Rory Best, Iain Henderson, Jacob Stockdale and Will Addison in their line-up.
J McNicholl; T Prydie, Jon Davies, K Fonotia, S Evans; R Patchell, G Davies; R Evans, K Owens (capt), S Lee, LRawlins, D Bulbring, W Boyde, James Davies, U Cassiem. Reps: R Elias, W Jones, W Kruger, S Cummins, D Davis, K Hardy, D Jones, H Parkes.
L Ludik; H Speight, W Addison, S McCloskey, J Stockdale; B Burns, J Cooney; E O’Sullivan, R Best (capt), M Moore, I Henderson, K Treadwell, S Reidy, J Murphy, M Coetzee. Reps: R Herring, K McCall, T O’Toole, M Rea, N Timoney, D Shanahan, J McPhillips, D Cave.
SCARLETS: ULSTER: