After a resounding three try 40-19 win last weekend in the LV=Cup against a strong Leicester Tigers team, the Scarlets say their training and preparations for the Connacht clash this week have been given an extra boost - with the next four league games prove vital in the region's play-off ambitions.
The Scarlets are strengthened with some returns from injury as well as welcoming back Welsh international back-row Josh Turnbull. Scarlets captain Rob McCusker returns to the pack after a sinus injury to lead his team with returns to the starting line-up in the pack for second row George Earle and young tight head prop Samson Lee.
Young outside half talent Owen Williams is rewarded with another start after his accomplished performance last weekend which helped steer the Scarlets win over Leicester; putting 21 points on the board from his boot and keeping the West Wales side in contention at half time.
Williams partners with another stand out young Scarlets player from last weekend, as Aled Davies keeps his starting scrum-half position.
The Scarlets top try scorer this season Andy Fenby who has not notched up nine tries for this region this season switches wings with Kristian Phillips returning to action this weekend on the other wing. Gareth Owen remains at full-back.
Scarlets ended a five game losing run with their 40-19 victory over Leicester Tigers at Parc y Scarlets in the Anglo-Welsh Cup on Sunday. Scarlets have won three, lost two at home in the RaboDirect PRO12 this season.
Connacht have won two of their last three matches in all competitions, whilst the Irishmen have lost their last five away games since defeating Zebre 19-10 in Parma in the European Cup on 13 October. Connacht's only win in their last 18 visits to Wales since 2008 was 27-19 against Newport Gwent Dragons at Rodney Parade on 30 March 2012.
Scarlets won 24-11 when the two sides met in round three of the RaboDirect PRO12, whilst Connacht's most recent victory in Llanelli came at the old Stradey Park, 29-21, on 9 October 2004.
Scarlets Head Coach Simon Easterby said: "It's been really positive for us to work off the back of a good performance and winning result last weekend. The boys have been feeling good this week and it really helps give an extra edge when you come in off the back of a win like that.
"It was really pleasing to see our team keep on top of the game even though we went two tries down in the first half; we worked hard with our game management, kept our composure and then took the game to them in the second half to win with some real conviction.
"This is the first of four very important games for us in our play-off ambitions; there is still a lot of rugby left and teams right through the league table can easily ramp up points during these period so we have to make these next four games count.
"We have to set a platform ourselves in this next block of games and the players know full well what we need to achieve over the next few weeks. The good thing is that we have seen some real ambition from some of our emerging players in the past fortnight; they have really stepped up and that's a real positive for the Scarlets squad."
Easterby said Connacht posed a real threat to his side with quality players and continuity on their side. He said: "It's a big game for us, Connacht are a well-coached side and are very competitive, they have some quality players in their ranks and experience in key positions like Dan Parks at 10; they can also can build continuity in their side at this period of the season, without losing so many internationals as us."
Scarlets Team v Connacht Friday 8th February 2013 kick off 7.30pm Parc y Scarlets; 15 Gareth Owen, 14 Andy Fenby, 13 Nick Reynolds, 12 Adam Warren, 11 Kristian Phillips, 10 Owen Williams, 9 Aled Davies, 1 Phil John, 2 Emyr Phillips, 3 Samson Lee, 4 George Earle, 5 Johan Synman, 6 Rob McCusker (capt), 7 Josh Turnbull, 8 Kieran Murphy
Replacements: 16 Kirby Myhill, 17 Shaun Hopkins, 18 Deacon Manu, 19 Jake Ball, 20 Lewis Rawlins, 21 Gareth Davies, 22 Aled Thomas, 23 Gareth Maule
Players not available for selection are:
Rhys Priestland (Achilles)
Johnathan Edwards (hamstring)
Dan Newton (groin)
Joel Galley (ribs)
Samson Lee (illness)
Craig Price (knee)
Rhodri Jones (shoulder)
Jacobie Adriaanse (dead leg)
Sione Timani (not available after birth of his daughter this week).
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