Scarlets and Cardiff kick off Welsh derby season

Welsh derby day in the United Rugby Championship (URC) season begins on the opening weekend as Scarlets host Cardiff in Llanelli on Saturday (19:45 BST).

There is an all-Welsh affair on the opening five weekends of the season before Wales' November fixtures in the Nations Championship.

"The rivalry is the best bit, isn't it?" said Scarlets director of rugby Nigel Davies.

"There's a need for that. People want to come and see those local derbies we still have.

"When you play against the Ospreys, Cardiff and Dragons, that's fantastic. Long may that continue because that means so much to people.

"We don't get great crowds in the URC because of the league's logistics, but in those events we do."

Having finished 14th last season, Scarlets know the magnitude of this opening fixture.

"It's a huge game for us," said Davies. "It sets the stall for the rest of the season and what a great way to start it.

"Cardiff have been relatively successful and have won the last two trips down here.

"They were excellent last season, the outstanding Welsh region. It was a great season for them, and they'll look to build on that.

"What a great way to start the season."

Cardiff are hoping to finish as the top Welsh side in the league again

"We are looking forward to kicking off the season and the fact it's a Welsh derby first up makes it even more exciting," said head coach Corniel van Zyl.

"With that also comes a massive challenge and we know we are going up against a formidable Scarlets side at home, and they will also be determined to start well.

"We had two really close and competitive games against the Scarlets last season.

"They were two crazy games where I believe both home sides should have won, but on both occasions the away team took the win.

"We are expecting another full-blooded derby but have prepared well and are looking forward to it.

"It's about getting as much of our game on the pitch, applying pressure on them and fighting for every moment."

Wales fly-half Sam Costelow misses out after suffering a head injury in the pre-season friendly defeat by Saracens, with Gareth Anscombe making his Scarlets competitive debut.

With back-row duo Fletcher Anderson and Taine Plumtree injured, Scarlets hand first URC starts to lock Will Evans and number eight Osian Williams, who are both 20, while second-row forward Sam Lousi moves to blind-side flanker.

Prop Corey Domachowski is denied an immediate reunion against the Cardiff side he left at the end of last season after suffering a pectoral injury against Saracens.

Fellow Wales loose-head Kemsley Mathias is also missing with Sam O'Connor making his first league start alongside hooker Ryan Elias, who will play his 200th game for Scarlets.

Cardiff summer signings Scott Sio and Le Roux Malan will make their competitive debuts, while Wales fly-half Jarrod Evans is named on the replacements bench following his return from Harlequins.

Club captain Liam Belcher packs down in the front row between loose-head Sio, who arrived from Exeter in the summer, and former Scarlet Javan Sebastian, while Malan forms a new-look centre combination with Ben Thomas.

After recovering from illness, Cam Winnett returns at full-back with Jacob Beetham moving to the wing and Mason Grady completing the back three.

Scarlets: Murray; Mee, J Roberts, E James, Page; Anscombe, Blacker; S O'Connor, Elias, Henry Thomas, W Evans, Cuckson, Lousi, Macleod (capt), O Williams.

Replacements: McKee, J Morse, Hawley, Groves, T Davies, Hughes, Hawkins, I Jones.

Cardiff: Winnett; Beetham, Malan, B Thomas, Grady; Sheedy, Mulder; Sio, Belcher (capt), Sebastian, McNally, T Williams, Mann, D Thomas, Basham.

Replacements: E Lloyd, Barratt, Wainwright, Thornton, Botham, Bevan, J Evans, Millard.

Referee:Adam Jones (WRU)

Assistant referees: Carwyn Sion (WRU), Lloyd Edwards (WRU)

TMO: Keith David (WRU).