Fox kept in reserve for derby as Scarlets play the long game
JONATHAN Davies will sit out today’s derby clash (3pm) against the Ospreys as the Scarlets continue to treat their star centre with caution.
Davies, the British and Irish Lions player of the series in 2017, made a stunning return to competitive action last weekend, scoring two tries as part of a man-of-the-match display in the 54-14 hammering of Southern Kings.
After recovering from a serious foot injury, the 28-year-old missed the opening four weeks of the Guinness PRO14 campaign because of a hamstring issue.
Davies came through the entire 80 minutes against the Kings, but has been unable to train at the start of the week and the Scarlets have opted not to risk him this weekend with a view to him being ready to take on Racing 92 in the opening round of Europe a week on Saturday.
It means Kieron Fonotia and Hadleigh Parkes – who were both rested last weekend – reunite in midfield in a Scarlets side showing eight changes from the one that took the field against the South Africans.
Leigh Halfpenny has overcome the ankle issue he picked up against Connacht and starts at full-back, while Tom Prydie replaces Ioan Nicholas on the wing.
Gareth Davies returns at scrum-half where he will go head to head with former Scarlet team-mate Aled Davies.
Up front, there are recalls for skipper Ken Owens and Wales front-row colleague Samson Lee. However, Rob Evans is ruled out as he continues his recovery from a shoulder injury.
The back-row is bolstered by the return of openside Will Boyde, who is yet to feature this season after undergoing shoulder surgery in the summer. Josh Macleod has also been passed fit and provides cover on the bench, with youngster Dan Davis missing out.
There is also no place for Wales wing Steff Evans, who is in Celtic Cup action for the Scarlets A team in Cork this evening.
The Scarlets are defending a 24-game unbeaten home record in the competition and looking for their fifth win in the last six derby meetings between the sides – a far cry from when the Ospreys dominated this fixture. Meanwhile, the Ospreys are without full-back Dan Evans and blindside flanker Dan Lydiate, with Wales internationals James Hook and Sam Cross stepping in.
Alun Wyn Jones returns to the second-row after being rested for the trip to Zebre, with Bradley Davies partnering the Wales captain.
Cory Allen gets the call at outside centre, with Joe Thomas dropping to the bench, while George North faces his former region for the first time in an Ospreys jersey.
Scarlets: Leigh Halfpenny; Tom Prydie, Kieron Fonotia, Hadleigh Parkes, Johnny McNicholl; Rhys Patchell, Gareth Davies; Wyn Jones, Ken Owens (capt), Samson Lee, Jake Ball, David Bulbring, Ed Kennedy, Will Boyde, Blade Thomson. Replacements; Ryan Elias, Phil Price, Werner Kruger, Tom Price, Josh Macleod, Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, Angus O’Brien, Paul Asquith. Ospreys: James Hook; George North, Cory Allen, Owen Watkin, Luke Morgan; Sam Davies, Aled Davies; Nicky Smith, Scott Baldwin, Ma’afu Fia, Bradley Davies, Alun Wyn Jones, Sam Cross, Justin Tipuric, James King.
Replacements; Scott Otten, Rhodri Jones, Tom Botha, Adam Beard, Olly Cracknell, Matthew Aubrey, Joe Thomas, Hanno Dirksen.