Forget URC – Scarlets face a Test match in Dublin

Scarlets head coach Nigel Davies says his side are preparing for a Test-match level challenge as they travel to face Leinster in Dublin.

Leinster return home after a heavy defeat by Glasgow last weekend and make 12 changes, but name a starting side featuring 13 internationals, underlining the scale of the task facing the Welsh region.

Scarlets head into the game without fly-half Sam Costelow after he rolled his ankle in training and captain Josh Macleod who has a hamstring injury.

It means their side to face Leinster shows five changes from the one that started in the 36-17 victory over Zebre last time out.

Joe Roberts returns at outside centre as Joe Hawkins is handed the number 10 jersey – with Carwyn Leggatt-Jones also unavailable through injury.

The other alteration among the backs sees Dane Blacker start at scrum-half in place of Archie Hughes who drops to the bench.

In the pack, hooker Harry Thomas is handed a second United Rugby Championship (URC) start of the season while Dan Davis comes in at openside flanker in place of skipper Macleod.

For Scarlets, the week has been framed less like a league fixture and more like an international assignment.

“We’re basically playing an international rugby game in an international venue against pretty much an international rugby team,” said Davies.

“I think it’s very difficult to look at last week, I’m sure we’ll face a slightly different Leinster team.

“I think they’ll have all the internationals and they’ll be building up into the following week with a European fixture. They’d be looking to sign off the URC on a positive note and build into that European fixture.”

Despite Welsh regions having beaten Leinster in recent seasons — including Scarlets in Llanelli last year — Davies says the scale of the task remains unchanged.

“In terms of the fear factor, no… and we need the fear factor,” he added.

Scarlets centre Roberts says the players are under no illusions about the level required.

“The squad is heavily filled with internationals… to compete, you have to be right up there,” he said.

“Because the amount of quality they have.”

Scarlets have shown in recent meetings that they can challenge Leinster, including a win last season and a competitive performance in Dublin in the knockout stages.

“It is just performance-driven from us really… and then seeing what happens,” Roberts added.

With the play-offs now unlikely, Davies says the emphasis is on performance in the closing rounds of the season.

“It’s all about performance really, and taking each game as it comes,” he said.

“And also… the legacy that they carry is from the previous generations… and the hope that they give their supporters and their families.

Leinster: Jimmy O’Brien; Tommy O’Brien, Ringrose, Osborne, Kenny; Byrne, Gibson-Park; Porter, Sheehan, Furlong, Joe McCarthy, Deeny, Deegan, van der Flier, Doris (capt).

Replacements: Gus McCarthy, Cahir, Slimani, O’Tighearnaigh, Soroka, Gunne, Prendergast, Henshaw.

Scarlets: Murray; Rogers, J Roberts, Williams, Mee; Hawkins, Blacker; Mathias, Harry Thomas, Holz, Lousi, Douglas, Taylor, Davis, Anderson (capt).

Replacements: G Roberts, S O’Connor, Henry Thomas, Ball, T Davies, A Hughes, I Jones, Page.

Referee: Aimee Barrett-Theron (SARU)

Assistants: Peter Martin (Ireland), Chris Lough (IRFU)