Eddie James to make 50th appearance as Scarlets show four changes

All nine of the Scarlets’ Wales Six Nations squad members have been named in the starting line-up to face Ulster in round 10 of the BKT United Rugby Championship at Parc y Scarlets on Saturday (15:00; Premier Sports).

The side shows four personnel changes from last weekend’s Investec Champions Cup clash at Northampton.

In a reshuffled back three, Tom Rogers has recovered from a groin niggle and comes in on the right wing. Ellis Mee switches to the left and Blair Murray moves to full-back.

Eddie James will run out for his 50th Scarlets appearance and again partners Joe Hawkins in midfield.

Sam Costelow and Archie continue as the half-back pairing.

Up front, Archer Holz is recalled in the front row and he packs down at tight-head alongside Ryan Elias and Kemsley Mathias.

Jake Ball is undergoing return-to-play protocols after leaving the field early at Franklin’s Gardens, while Max Douglas damaged his bicep in the first half against Saints and misses out. That means there is a new second-row partnership of Harvey Cuckson and Sam Lousi. Sam welcomed a new baby boy to the family last weekend and congratulations to him and his wife from everyone at the club.

The back row of Taine Plumtree, captain Josh Macleod – who makes his 100th URC appearance – and No. 8 Fletcher Anderson remains unchanged.

Among the replacements, prop Josh Morse, lock Jac Price, scrum-half Dane Blacker and fit-again centre Johnny Williams come into the match-day 23.

Looking forward to the resumption of URC action, Interim Director of Rugby Nigel Davies said: “It’s a great challenge. Ulster are playing a lot of rugby. They have changed the way they play a little bit, so they are a threat with the ball and it’s a team we haven’t beaten for a long time.

“But that’s all in the past. We are focused on the future and underpinning our performances with the values we have spoken about and being ruthless.

“Last week, we talked about winning. This week, we’re focused on what it takes to win — being brave in how we play and fully connected in how we work.”

Scarlets team to face Ulster Rugby on Saturday, January 24 (15:00; Premier Sports)

15 Blair Murray; 14 Tom Rogers, 13 Eddie James, 12 Joe Hawkins, 11 Ellis Mee; 10 Sam Costelow, 9 Archie Hughes; 1 Kemsley Mathias, 2 Ryan Elias, 3 Archer Holz, 4 Sam Lousi, 5 Harvey Cuckson, 6 Taine Plumtree, 7 Josh Macleod (capt), 8 Fletcher Anderson.

Reps: 16 Marnus van der Merwe, 17 Josh Morse, 18 Henry Thomas, 19 Jac Price, 20 Jarrod Taylor, 21 Dane Blacker, 22 Johnny Williams, 23 Macs Page.

Unavailable because of injury/illness

Max Douglas, Jake Ball, Elis Price, Ioan Jones, Isaac Young.