Scarlets get Bok back for Stormers but lose Wales international

Springbok hooker Marnus van der Merwe returns from international duty to the Scarlets starting XV for Friday night’s URC Round 3 clash with the DHL Stormers at Parc y Scarlets.

Capped by South Africa in the summer, Van der Merwe is named in a side showing just two changes from the team selected for last weekend’s postponed fixture against Connacht.

However, Wales international Jake Ball misses out. The big second-row who returned to Llanelli this season suffered a head knock in training and is now following return-to-play protocols.

Ball’s absence sees Tristan Davies come into the second row alongside Max Douglas, while former Scarlet Steve Cummins has joined on loan from the Dragons and is named on the bench.

The backline remains unchanged.

Wales centre Johnny Williams is set to captain the side for the first time as he links up with Joe Roberts in midfield.

Blair Murray, Ellis Mee and Tom Rogers form an all-international back three.

Regular Joe Hawkins starts at flyhalf for only the fourth time in career. Former Exeter Chief centre Hawkins and Gareth Davies make up the half-back pairing.

Regular stand-off Sam Costelow is included among the replacements after passing fit this week.

Van der Merwe packs down between Alec Hepburn and Henry Thomas in the front-row, while Jarrod Taylor, Dan Davis and Taine Plumtree combine in a dynamic-looking back row.

“Stormers have been very good so far,” said Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel. “We all know how dangerous they are in terms of broken field and transition play, but they also have real strength up front and that is the challenge.

“It is about putting in a performance and competing, being brave with and without the ball. Injuries haven’t helped our preparation, we have a smaller squad this season and it does test your depth, but it also provides opportunities for younger players, who have shown that they are ready and hungry for their chance.”

Prop Archer Holz is back in the match-day 23 as tight-head cover after he returned from illness for Carmarthen Quins last weekend.

Ben Williams is in line for his first appearance of the campaign, but there’s no Osian Williams, who was set to make his URC debut before suffering an ankle injury in training.

SCARLETS:

15. Blair Murray; 14. Tom Rogers, 13. Joe Roberts, 12. Johnny Williams (capt), 11. Ellis Mee; 10. Joe Hawkins, 9. Gareth Davies; 1. Alec Hepburn, 2. Marnus van der Merwe, 3. Henry Thomas, 4. Tristan Davies, 5. Max Douglas, 6. Jarrod Taylor, 7. Dan Davis, 8. Taine Plumtree.

Replacements: 16. Kirby Myhill, 17. Sam O’Connor, 18. Archer Holz, 19. Steve Cummins, 20. Ben Williams, 21. Dane Blacker, 22. Sam Costelow, 23. Macs Page.