Liam Williams will be tasked with dealing his future employers a major blow on Saturday when he features for the Scarlets against Cardiff in the United Rugby Championship encounter at the Arms Park.
The fearless Wales and Lions back-three man will be lining up for the capital city team next season after switching from Parc y Scarlets this summer, but he still has unfinished business with Dwayne Peel’s side. Williams being Williams, he will be determined to end his stint with the only Welsh region he has played for at senior level to date on a high.
Injuries, a suspension and Wales commitments have all combined to limit the 30-year-old’s appearances for the Scarlets since he returned from Saracens in 2020, with the player known as 'Sanjay' restricted to just six regional outings over two campaigns.
Read more : Welsh team boss fires warning and tells players they are playing for their futures
But he will be desperate to play out his final few games as a Scarlet in the manner that made him a fans’ favourite during his first stint in Llanelli. He signalled his intent to end with a flourish in west Wales when announcing his move to Cardiff earlier this term, saying then: “I’m very grateful to Scarlets who have given me so many opportunities in the game.
“I wouldn’t be the player or person I am without the incredible support from the management, players, back-room staff and passionate supporters. I will take with me many fond memories that will stay with me. I will be giving my all for the remainder of the season and hope to finish on a high.”
A win over Cardiff would help that process no end. The other side of the coin is that an adverse result for David Young's side would represent a significant setback in their quest to secure Heineken Champions Cup qualification next season via the Welsh Shield, the competition within a competition which sees which the top-performing team from this side of the River Severn over the URC season land a ticket for top-tier European rugby.
Right now, the Scarlets head that mini-league, nine points clear of third-placed Cardiff. Victory this weekend, with home and away fixtures against the Dragons to follow, would leave them strongly placed to finish at the end of the Welsh pile.
They also have Jonathan Davies and Ryan Elias returning to the starting line-up but Covid rules out Blade Thomson and Tomas Lezana — each outstanding in the win over Cardiff last weekend — with Aaron Shingler and Dan Davis coming into the back row alongside Sione Kalamafoni.
Josh Macleod makes his first matchday-squad appearance since sustaining a hamstring injury against the Ospreys on January 1. He features on the bench, while British and Irish Lion Wyn Jones is also named among the replacements and Williams is on the left wing, but the Scarlets are missing 12 injured players, among them Rhys Patchell and Scott Williams.
Cardiff make 10 changes for the clash as boss Young shakes up his team after last weekend's disappointing loss at the hands of Scarlets, branding the performance 'unacceptable'.
There’s a fresh back-three in the shape of Matthew Morgan, Owen Lane and Theo Cabango and it’s all change in the front row where Rhys Carre, Kirby Mhill and Dmitri Arhip return.
Lloyd Williams starts ahead of Wales scrum-half Tomos Williams, Garyn Smith replaces Ben Thomas and Shane Lewis Hughes figures at blindside with Josh Turnbull taking over at No. 8 and captain.
Young said: “We have made a number of changes, some due to injury and others based on form and selection. We need to see a reaction this weekend.
“The only positive about that last 60 minutes last week is that we now have an opportunity to put it right. That’s something that’s come loud and clear from the players. They’ve identified it wasn’t anywhere near the standard that they’ve come to expect from themselves.
“They want to go out there and rectify that this week, but I also expect there’s more to come from Scarlets as well. We didn’t push them to the limits and they’ll come down here with a bit of confidence.
“We know we need to be at our best and we have some wrongs to put right so there is plenty of motivation and I’m sure there will be a reaction.”
If there isn't a reaction, then Young will feel entitled to ask questions.
Cardiff Rugby: Matthew Morgan; Owen Lane, Rey Lee-Lo, Garyn Smith, Theo Cabango; Jarrod Evans, Lloyd Williams; Rhys Carré, Kirby Myhill, Dmitri Arhip, Seb Davies, Matthew Screech, Shane Lewis-Hughes, Ellis Jenkins, Josh Turnbull (capt).
Replacements: Liam Belcher, Corey Domachowski, Will Davies-King, Teddy Williams, Will Boyde, Tomos Williams, Rhys Priestland, Aled Summerhill.
Scarlets: 15 Johnny McNicholl; 14 Tom Rogers, 13 Jonathan Davies (capt), 12 Johnny Williams, 11 Liam Williams; 10 Sam Costelow, 9 Gareth Davies; 1 Steff Thomas, 2 Ryan Elias, 3 Javan Sebastian, 4 Sam Lousi, 5 Jac Price, 6 Aaron Shingler, 7 Dan Davis, 8 Sione Kalamafoni.
Replacements :16 Shaun Evans, 17 Wyn Jones, 18 Harri O’Connor, 19 Josh Macleod 20 Carwyn Tuipulotu, 21 Kieran Hardy, 22 Angus O’Brien, 23 Joe Roberts.
