Scarlets v Cardiff Blues: Guinness PRO12 preview

Rhys Priestland will make what is likely to be his last home appearance for the Scarlets on Sunday

The Scarlets welcome Cardiff Blues to Parc y Scarlets on Sunday needing a victory to keep them on track for a top-six finish.

Head coach Wayne Pivac has named a strong that includes eight internationals, including fly-half Rhys Priestland, who plays what is likely to be his last home game before joining Bath.

Scott Williams is joined in the centre by Hadleigh Parkes as Regan King misses out with concussion, while Harry Robinson and Steff Evans join Liam Williams in the back three.

The pack remains unchanged from the one that recorded a bonus-point win over the Dragons at the Millennium Stadium a fortnight ago, with hooker Ken Owens skippering the side.

Cardiff Blues have named former Scarlets Matthew Rees and Gavin Evans in their starting line-up as they look to end a disappointing season in positive fashion.

Hooker Rees returns to captain the Blues and is one of five changes to the side that lost to the Ospreys on Judgement Day.

Rees is joined in the front row by Thomas Davies while Jarrad Hoeata is named in the second row alongside Filo Paulo.

Centre Evans, who played 75 times for Scarlets before moving to Blues in 2009, partners Garyn Smith in midfield, while Wales international Alex Cuthbert has recovered from a minor finger operation and takes his place on the wing.

A positional change sees Rhys Patchell start at fly-half and Gareth Anscombe at full-back.

"When we played Scarlets earlier in the season we really produced on the day,” said Cardiff attack coach Paul John.

“It was one of our better displays this season and we had an edge that day; we need that edge again on Sunday."

Scarlets: 15 Liam Williams, 14 Harry Robinson, 13 Hadleigh Parkes, 12 Scott Williams, 11 Steff Evans, 10 Rhys Priestland, 9 Aled Davies; 1 Phil John, 2 Ken Owens (c), 3 Peter Edwards, 4 Jake Ball, 5 Lewis Rawlins, 6 Aaron Shingler, 7 James Davies, 8 John Barclay.

Replacements: 16 Ryan Elias, 17 Rob Evans, 18 Jacobie Adriaanse, 19 George Earle, 20 Rory Pitman, 21 Rhodri Williams, 22 Steven Shingler, 23 Adam Warren.

Cardiff Blues: 15 Gareth Anscombe, 14 Alex Cuthbert, 13 Garyn Smith, 12 Gavin Evans, 11 Joaquin Tuculet, 10 Rhys Patchell, 9 Lloyd Williams; 1 Thomas Davies, 2 Matthew Rees (c), 3 Craig Mitchell, 4 Jarrad Hoeata, 5 Filo Paulo, 6 Josh Turnbull, 7 Sam Warburton, 8 Josh Navidi.

Replacements: 16 Rhys Williams, 17 Sam Hobbs, 18 Scott Andrews, 19 Lou Reed, 20 Manoa Vosawai, 21 Tavis Knoyle, 22 Tom Isaacs, 23 Richard Smith.