The Scarlets go in search of a bonus-point triumph against Bristol Bears in the European Champions Cup on Saturday evening to progress to the knockouts.
The Welsh region are in action following a 45-10 thumping defeat against Bordeaux-Begles last time out. It was just their second game in any competition since late October.
A combination of travel restrictions which saw them stuck in South Africa - followed by players isolating at a hotel near Belfast on their return - then coronavirus-related cancellations and postponements either side of Christmas stalled their season.
But even though they currently prop up Pool B in the European Cup, a bonus-point triumph at Bristol's expense could still see them progress if other results also work in their favour.
Bristol, meanwhile, head to Llanelli after qualifying for the tournament's round of 16 through a bonus-point victory over Stade Francais last weekend. Bears go in search of a highest-ranking seeding of the 16 teams, having already clinched a spot in the knockout stages.
Scarlets v Bristol will be the first game since October 22 that supporters are allowed into Parc y Scarlets.
Here's everything you need to know about the match:
What time is Scarlets v Bristol Bears kick-off?
Scarlets v Bristol Bears kicks off at 5.30pm on Saturday, January 22, at Parc y Scarlets in Llanelli.
What TV channel is Scarlets v Bristol on? What about live streaming?
Scarlets v Bristol is being broadcast live on S4C and BT Sport 3, with coverage beginning at 5.15pm. Customers can also live stream the action via the BT Sport app or www.bt.com/sport
What's the Scarlets v Bristol Bears team news?
Dwayne Peel has made four personnel changes and swapped Johnny McNicholl and Liam Williams so the latter starts on the wing, with Ryan Conbeer coming in for Steff Evans on the other side.
Skipper Jonathan Davies and Scott Williams partner in midfield, and Rhys Patchell and Dane Blacker do so at half-back. The Scarlets said Gareth Davies was ill at the start of the week so has been unable to train.
The front five is unchanged, with Wyn Jones, Ryan Elias and Samson Lee forming an all-Wales international front row and Sam Lousi again partnering Morgan Jones in the second row.
Shaun Evans comes in for an injured Tomas Lezana (foot) to make his European debut at openside, and is joined in the back-row by Aaron Shingler and Sione Kalamafoni.
Scotland Six Nations call-up Javan Sebastian, Josh Helps - back from an Achilles injury - and Carwyn Tuipulotu, who made his Champions Cup bow off the bench last weekend, are included among the replacements. Kieran Hardy, Sam Costelow and Ioan Nicholas provide the backline cover.
As for Bristol, former Scarlets Academy product Dan Thomas makes his 100th competitive appearance when he lines up in the back-row as one of four changes to the starting line-up.
Front-rower Bryan Byrne returns to start for the first time since May 2021, while Siva Naulago could make his first outing of the campaign from the bench after breaking his arm during pre-season.
Charles Piutau comes into an exciting backline with Wales international Ioan Lloyd switching to midfield, while Ed Holmes is named in the second row.
Scarlets: 15. Johnny McNicholl, 14. Liam Williams, 13. Jonathan Davies (capt), 12. Scott Williams, 11. Ryan Conbeer, 10. Rhys Patchell, 9. Dane Blacker, 1. Wyn Jones, 2. Ryan Elias, 3. Samson Lee, 4. Sam Lousi, 5. Morgan Jones, 6. Aaron Shingler, 7. Shaun Evans, 8. Sione Kalamafoni.
Replacements: 16. Marc Jones, 17. Phil Price, 18. Javan Sebastian, 19. Josh Helps, 20. Carwyn Tuipulotu, 21. Kieran Hardy, 22. Sam Costelow, 23. Ioan Nicholas.
Bristol Bears: 15. Charles Piutau, 14. Luke Morahan, 13. Semi Radradra, 12. Ioan Lloyd, 11. Henry Purdy, 10. Callum Sheedy, 9. Harry Randall, 1. Jake Woolmore, 2. Bryan Byrne, 3. Kyle Sinckler, 4. Ed Holmes, 5. Joe Joyce (capt), 6. Chris Vui, 7. Dan Thomas, 8. Fitz Harding.
Replacements: 16. Harry Thacker, 17. Yann Thomas, 18. John Afoa, 19. John Hawkins, 20. Steven Luatua, 21. Andy Uren, 22. Piers O’Conor, 23. Siva Naulago.
Who is the Scarlets v Bristol referee?
Experienced French referee Mathieu Raynal is taking charge.
His fellow countrymen Thomas Charabas and Maxime Chalon are his assistants and Philippe Bonhoure is on TMO duty.
Who was unavailable for Scarlets v Bristol?
Scarlets: Tomas Lezana (foot), WillGriff John (back), Blade Thomson (concussion), Rob Evans (knee), Josh Macleod (hamstring), Ken Owens (back), Tom Price (ankle), Dan Davis (pectoral muscle), Tom Phillips (knee), James Davies (concussion), Leigh Halfpenny (knee), Corey Baldwin (foot), Lewis Rawlins (concussion), Harri Williams (ankle), Johnny Williams (calf), Joe Roberts (knee).
Bristol: Dave Attwood, Sam Jeffries, Sam Bedlow, Toby Fricker, Alapati Leiua, Jack Bates.
What have the coaches said?
Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel: “Having the fans back is massive for us. I am sure they have missed it as much as we have missed them here. It is a local derby in terms of an Anglo-Welsh clash. It will be great to have a good atmosphere here and I know the boys are relishing that as well.
“Bristol have a style they want to play and we are that type of team as well who want to play with ambition and we have some creativity. It will be an exciting game I am sure and one we are looking forward to.”
Bristol Bears director of rugby Pat Lam: "They are at home, there are a lot of their players in the Wales squad and it is a great venue to play rugby at. We are under no illusion how tough it will be.
"They haven't had much rugby, and Bordeaux is not an easy place to go to.
"You can see there is a bit of rustiness in there. However, there are a lot of quality players and a lot of them are in the Wales squad, so they are a dangerous team.
"They have got more internationals than we have. When they click, they will cause a lot of problems."
Covid pass required
Anyone attending Scarlets v Bristol who is over the age of 18 will need to show an NHS Covid pass or proof of a negative lateral flow result upon entry to Parc y Scarlets.
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