| Venue: Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli Date: Saturday, January 1 Time:17:15 GMT |
| Coverage:Live on S4C, BBC Radio Wales and the BBC Sport website. Highlights on Scrum V Sunday, BBC Two Wales, and online at 18:00 GMT later on demand |
Scarlets’ Flanker Josh Macleod is back from injury when he plays for Ospreys in United Rugby Championship.
Scarlets are without Wyn Jones, Wales captain and prop, while Jonathan Davies is leading the side. Scott Williams is in charge.
Ospreys wing Keelan Gilles will play his first game since March 2021. Hooker Dewi lake and centre Kieran Wils are the replacements.
Flanker Jac Morgan is back against his former team after he was defeated in the Heineken Champions Cup against Sale.
Josh Thomas plays fly-half for Ospreys, with Stephen Myler and Gareth Anscombe missing. Dan Lydiate, Alun Wyn Jones and Justin Tipuric are already on the sidelines.
Scarlets haven’t played competitive rugby since 22 October. This season, they will host the first Welsh match behind closed doors.
Covid-19 concerns have caused the postponement of three other Welsh New Year and Christmas derbies that were due to be held without crowds.
Steff Hughes, Scarlets centre, replaces Davies. Steff Evan is named on Steff’s wing in a back-three that also features Johnny McNicholl (full-back) and Liam Williams (full-back), who will make his Scarlets debut of the season.
It is the frontrow where home side are most concerned with Jones, British and Irish Lions test prop Jones, missing along with international pair Samson Lee (Italy) and Javan Sebastian (Italy).
Harri O’Connor, a former prop for Wales Under-20s, will make his league debut.
Macleod is out of action since breaking his Achilles during Wales’ Six Nations camp, February. His return has been delayed by games in South Africa, Cardiff and against Bordeaux-Begles.
Rhys Patchell, Wales flyhalf, is making his first competitive appearance since October 2020. He was named as one of the replacements.
Ken Owens and Dan Davis, Josh Helps, Josh Helps and James Davies are all unavailable due to injury.
Scarlets: L Williams; McNicholl. S Hughes, S Williams (capt), S Evans. D Jones. G Davies. R Evans. Elias. O’Connor. Lousi. T Price. Thomson. Macleod. Kalamafoni.
Replacements:D Hughes, S Thomas. Shingler. Shingler. Shingler. Shingler. Shingler. Shingler. Shingler. Shingler. Shingler. Shingler. Shingle.
Ospreys:D Evans, Giles, Collins and Watkin; J Thomas, Webb, Capt; N Smith, Taione; Francis, Griffiths Beard, Roots; J Morgan, M Morris
Replacements:Lake, G Thomas. Botha, Ashley. Cross. Aubrey Hawkins. K Williams.
Referee: Adam Jones (WRU)
Assistant Referees:Ben Breakspear and Rhys Jones (WRU).
TMO: Sean Brickell (WRU).