McLaughlin makes tough calls to stop the rot

RABO DIRECT PRO 12: Today, kick-off – 3pm Parc y Scarlets:ULSTER COACH Brian McLaughlin has opted for swingeing changes, seven in personnel and two positional, for the trip to the principality. He is attempting to address a run of three successive defeats and that remit should be facilitated by six players who return to provincial colours having played in the recent World Cup.

Simon Danielli switches to fullback to accommodate the returning Andrew Trimble. Nevin Spence and Paddy Wallace are the preferred centre combination with Darren Cave, surprisingly, starting on the bench. Ruan Pienaar is at scrumhalf, while Tom Court, Andy Kyriacou and Johann Muller return to the pack.

McLaughlin admitted: “We had to make a few tough decisions in terms of selection. Leaving Darren Cave out of the side was very difficult considering the form he was in. Paddy (Wallace) and Nevin (Spence) struck up a good relationship last season and it’s a tried and tested combination. We know with Darren on the bench, it will give us a bit of quality there and it gives us great options.”

His counterpart Nigel Davies has elected to leave returning Welsh internationals scrumhalf Tavis Knoyle and centre Scott Williams on the bench. Matthew Rees, who was due to captain Wales in New Zealand before succumbing to injury, is named among the replacements. The Scarlets are fortunate they have another hooker with Test-match experience in Ken Owens.

The next generation of Scarlets backs talent – Adam Warren, Aled Thomas, Liam Williams and Rhodri Williams – all keep their starting places following impressive performances in recent victories over the Blues and Leicester Tigers. Andy Fenby returns on the wing from a groin injury, Scottish international Seán Lamont takes a centre spot again with Daniel Evans retained at fullback.

It may take a little while longer for Ulster to gel in terms of the returning players but it promises to be an entertaining tussle.

SCARLETS:D Evans; L Williams, S Lamont, A Warren, A Fenby; A Thomas, R Williams; R Jones, K Owens, R Thomas; D Day, D Welch; R McCusker (capt), J Edwards, B Morgan. Replacements: M Rees, P John, S Gardiner, A Shingler, R Pugh, T Knoyle, D Newton, S Williams.

ULSTER:S Danielli; A Trimble, N Spence, P Wallace, C Gilroy; I Humphreys, R Pienaar; T Court, A Kyriacou, D Fitzpatrick; J Muller (capt), D Tuohy; P Wannenburg, M McComish, C Henry. Replacements: N Brady, P McAllister, A Macklin, L Stevenson, R Diack, P Marshall, D Cave, A D'Arcy.