The Scarlets welcome back four Wales internationals for Saturday’s URC match against the Sharks in Durban.

Prop Kemsley Mathias, lock Jake Ball, flank Sam Lousi and winger Tom Rogers go straight into the starting XV following last weekend’s loss to the Lions in Joburg.

With Rogers back in the No 14 jersey, Blair Murray switches to fullback. Joe Roberts comes in to partner skipper Johnny Williams in midfield, while there is also a change at scrumhalf with Dane Blacker swapping with Archie Hughes. Sam Costelow continues at flyhalf.

In the pack, Mathias is set for his first appearance of the season after getting the nod at loosehead alongside Springbok hooker Marnus van der Merwe and fellow front-rower Archer Holz.

Ball has come through his head injury protocols to pack down with the on-loan Harvey Cuckson in the second row. Lousi is named at blindside flanker in a back row that also contains Taine Plumtree at No 8 and Dan Davis at openside.

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“Obviously, we have been disappointed with results so far, but we can’t go into our shells in terms of how we want to play, we will keep working hard, we have to keep being bold and we have to keep encouraging boys to go out and play,” said Scarlets coach Dwayne Peel.

“The Sharks are a dangerous team, you only have to look at their line-up, 13 current Springboks, some of the best players in the world – they are capable of outstanding things.

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“The challenge for us is we need to be a collective, the boys have to fight for each other. We had a really close game here at the end of last season when we were right in the hunt until the final minutes and we need more of the same.

“They lost at home last week so they are going to be up for the fight as well, what an opportunity and what a challenge for our guys.”

SCARLETS – 15 Blair Murray, 14 Tom Rogers, 13 Joe Roberts, 12 Johnny Williams (c), 11 Ellis Mee, 10 Sam Costelow, 9 Dane Blacker, 8 Taine Plumtree, 7 Dan Davis, 6 Sam Lousi, 5 Jake Ball, 4 Harvey Cuckson, 3 Archer Holz, 2 Marnus van der Merwe, 1 Kemsley Mathias.
Bench: 16 Kirby Myhill, 17 Alec Hepburn, 18 Henry Thomas, 19 Alex Groves, 20 Jarrod Taylor, 21 Archie Hughes, 22 Joe Hawkins, 23 Ioan Nicholas.

Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images