Preview: Scarlets v Edinburgh

Chris Paterson will captain a much-changed Edinburgh side for Friday's Magners League clash against the Scarlets in Llanelli.

Chris Paterson will captain a much-changed Edinburgh side for Friday's Magners League clash against the Scarlets in Llanelli.

Both first-team captain Mike Blair (ankle) and vice-captain Allister Hogg (hip) are ruled out through injury, so the armband goes to Paterson, who missed the previous match against the Dragons with a foot infection.

“What we have been trying to build for a while now is a group of leaders and we are fortunate to be able to call upon someone like Chris, with his experience, and I'm sure he will lead by example,” said Edinburgh coach Rob Moffat.

The ever-present Phil Godman has been rested after featuring in all three of Scotland's November Tests, with David Blair coming in for his first start in nine months.

“I think it is important that Phil is managed well over the course of the season, in terms of his game-time,” Moffat said.

“He played in every match for Scotland but he has also played a lot of rugby for us as well.

“We just thought it was sensible to rest him this week and to give him time to freshen up.”

“David has got a chance this week and I'm sure he will take it.

“He has been around a while – he is 24 and he has been a professional for about five years, so he is an experienced campaigner.”

Greig Laidlaw comes in for Blair at scrum-half while Roddy Grant returns to the back-row at openside, with Scott Newlands shifting across to the base of the scrum.

Andrew Kelly reclaims the hooker slot, with Scotland international Ross Ford on the bench. Mark Robertson reclaims the number 14 jersey while lock Scott MacLeod is selected to face his former club.

David Callam, back from a long-term hip injury, has been called into the squad for the first time since September 2008 and is among the substitutes.

Club captain Simon Cross is still out with a knee injury alongside Andrew Easson (knee) and Simon Webster (hamstring) but Ross Rennie and Jim Hamilton are close to fitness.

Meanwhile, Scarlets Head Coach Nigel Davies has brought back some of the Scarlets' big performers.

Inculded in the XV are returning Wales internationals Jon Davies and Martin Roberts, with Stephen Jones appearing on the bench.

Scarlets: 15 Daniel Evans, 14 Lee Williams, 13 Sean Lamont, 12 Jon Davies, 11 Andy Fenby, 10 Rhys Priestland, 9 Martin Roberts, 8 David Lyons (c) 7 Richie Pugh 6 Simon Easterby 5 Dominic Day, 4 Lou Reed, 3 Deacon Manu, 2 Ken Owens, 1 Iestyn Thomas.
Replacements: 16 Phil John, 17 Emyr Phillips, 18 Vernon Cooper, 19 Josh Turnbull, 20 Tavis Knoyle, 21 Stephen Jones, 22 Gareth Maule

Edinburgh: 15 Chris Paterson (c), 14 Mark Robertson, 13 Ben Cairns, 12 Nick De Luca, 11 Tim Visser, 10 David Blair, 9 Greig Laidlaw, 8 Scott Newlands, 7 Roddy Grant, 6 Alan MacDonald, 5 Scott MacLeod, 4 Steve Turnbull, 3 Geoff Cross, 2 Andrew Kelly, 1 Allan Jacobsen.
Replacements: 16 Ross Ford, 17 Kyle Traynor, 18 Craig Hamilton, 19 David Callam, 20 Ross Samson, 21 John Houston, 22 Jim Thompson.

Date: Friday, 4 December
Venue: Parc y Scarlets
Kick-off: 19.05