Liam Williams’ re-appearance for the Scarlets is like making a new signing, according to head coach Wayne Pivac.
The Wales full-back will make his first start in front of Scarlets fans for almost a year when they host Glasgow Warriors on Saturday in a match vital to the region’s hopes of a Guinness Pro 12 play-off place.
International calls and a succession of injuries have restricted Williams’ game time with hamstring and foot problems affaceting him this season.
“It is like having a new signing because he has had just 60 minutes for us this season,” admitted Pivac.
“He is a real competitor, he lifts the guys around him, and he’s a joy to have in the team. I have said that from day one of me arriving here and meeting the guy.
“It’s just a shame he has not been around for large parts of this season, but it’s good to have him running around again.”
The Scarlets were forced to cancel training on Thursday as 18 players were laid low with a stomach bug.
However, Pivac has been able to put together a strong line-up for a critical match in their bid to finish in the top four.
There remain doubts over a couple of players, but most have overcome their illness.
There are four changes from the defeat to Cardiff Blues last time out as the Scarlets bid to overturn the three-point gap between themselves and champions Glasgow.
Williams replaces Michael Collins in the No. 15 jersey, Gareth Owens gets the nod over Regan King at centre, the fit-again Steve Shingler is preferred at fly-half, while there is a reshuffle in the back row with Samoan Maselino Paulino coming in at blindside and John Barclay switching to No. 8 against his former side.
Glasgow have named a side stacked with Scotland internationals with Fijian star Leone Nakarawa included among the replacements.
Scarlets: Liam Williams; Steffan Evans, Gareth Owen, Hadleigh Parkes, DTH van der Merwe; Steve Shingler, Gareth Davies; Rob Evans, Ken Owens (capt), Samson Lee, Jake Ball, David Bulbring, Maselino Paulino, John Barclay, James Davies. Replacements; Kirby Myhill, Phil John, Peter Edwards, George Earle, Morgan Allen, Aled Davies, Aled Thomas, Steffan Hughes.
Glasgow: Stuart Hogg; Tommy Seymour, Mark Bennett, Alex Dunbar; Lee Jones, Finn Russell, Henry Pyrgos; Gordon Reid, Fraser Brown, Sila Puafisi, Tim Swinson, Jonny Gray (capt), Rob Harley, Josh Strauss, Ryan Wilson. Replacements: Pat MacArthur, Jerry Yanuyanutawa, Zander Fagerson, Leone Nakarawa, Tyrone Holmes, Grayson Hart, Duncan Weir, Taqele Naiyaravoro.
