Preview: Scarlets v Munster

The Scarlets will field a new centre combination when they face Munster in the penultimate Magners League game of the season on Saturday.

The Scarlets will field a new centre combination when they face Munster in the penultimate Magners League game of the season on Saturday.

With Regan King suffering an ankle sprain and fellow midfielder Jonathan Davies nursing an ankle injury, the Scarlets have moved Nathan Brew alongside Gavin Evans with the latter moving to outside centre.

Simon Easterby was not considered for selection due to an inflamed knee while Dwayne Peel (shoulder) and Alix Popham (hand) are also carrying knocks.

“I'm looking forward to playing alongside Nathan,” said Evans.

“When we played the Dragons a year or so ago he played at twelve that day and he proved quite effective. He offers lots of strength and we're both looking forward to the game.”

Form: Llanelli Scarlets have lost four of their last five matches in the Magners League since February. At Stradey Park the Scarlets lost 10-24 to Leinster last time out but have not lost successive home league games since 2005. Scarlets have been defeated in their last five encounters against Irish opponents. Munster reached the final of the European Cup with their victory over Saracens in Coventry on Sunday and also visit Ulster in the Magners League on Wednesday. Munster have won the last four clashes between the two sides in all competitions. Munster have already won at Stradey Park this season: 29-16 in the European Cup on 8 December.

The teams:

Scarlets: 15 Morgan Stoddart, 14 Dafydd James, 13 Gavin Evans, 12 Nathan Brew, 11 Mattew Watkins, 10 Stephen Jones (capt), 9 Gavin Cattle, 8 Nathan Thomas, 7 Gavin Thomas, 6 Dafydd Jones, 5 Scott MacLeod, 4 Vernon Cooper, 3 Deacon Manu, 2 Matthew Rees, 1 Iestyn Thomas.
Replacements: 16 Phil John, 17 Mahonri Schwalger, 18 Lou Reed, 19 James Bater, 20 Liam Davies, 21 Rhys Priestland, 22 Darren Daniel.

Munster: 15 Denis Hurley, 14 Doug Howlett, 13 Lifeimi Mafi, 12 Rua Tipoki, 11 Ian Dowling, 10 Ronan O'Gara, 9 Tomas O'Leary, 8 Denis Leamy, 7 David Wallace, 6 Alan Quinlan, 5 Paul O'Connell, 4 Donncha O'Callaghan, 3 John Hayes, 2 Jerry Flannery, 1 Marcus Horan.
Replacements: 16 Frank Sheahan, 17 Federico Pucciariello, 18 Mick O'Driscoll, 19 Donnacha Ryan, 20 Peter Stringer, 21 Paul Warwick, 22 Anthony Horgan.

Date: Saturday, May 3
Venue: Stradey Park
Kick-off: 14:45 BST (13:45 GMT)
Referee: Neil Paterson (SRU)
Touch Judges: Jon Mason (WRU), Alan Jenkins (WRU).