United Rugby Championship: Cardiff v Scarlets (Sat) – Wales wing Josh Adams returns for hosts

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Cardiff's Josh Adams makes a break
Josh Adams’ last game for Cardiff was the Challenge Cup quarter-final defeat against Benetton in April
Venue: Arms Park, Cardiff Date: Saturday, 2 December Kick off: 15:00 GMT
Coverage: Live on BBC Radio Wales MW, DTV, FM/DAB North Wales & BBC Sounds. Match report and highlights on the BBC Sport website and app. Highlights on Scrum V, Sunday, BBC Two Wales and online, Sunday, 3 December from 18:00 GMT and later on demand.

Wales wing Josh Adams returns for Cardiff in the United Rugby Championship derby against Scarlets.

Adams will play his first Cardiff game this season following a shoulder injury suffered in Wales’ World Cup quarter-final defeat by Argentina in October.

Scarlets welcome back flanker Dan Davis from a hamstring injury.

Centre Joe Roberts is missing with a slight knee problem with Eddie James coming in.

Scarlets will be captained by scrum-half Gareth Davies who will be in direct opposition to Wales rival Tomos Williams, who returns after missing the win over the Stormers through injury.

Adams and Williams are among four internationals coming back into the Cardiff starting side with lock Teddy Williams and prop Keiron Assiratti also back among six changes made by head coach Matt Sherratt.

Number eight Mackenzie Martin, who impressed on debut from the bench last week, is handed a first-start instead of the injured Lopeti Timani, while centre Rey Lee-Lo comes in for Ben Thomas.

Shane Lewis-Hughes returns from the shoulder injury after being named on the replacements bench alongside club captain Josh Turnbull.

Form guide

Scarlets are bottom of the URC table with just one win this season, 31-25 at home against Cardiff at the start of November. Dwayne Peel’s side lost 31-9 to Ospreys last weekend.

They have lost only one of their last five games against the Welsh capital club and their last away victory in URC was at the Arms Park in January.

Cardiff’s win against Stormers last weekend was only their second championship win on their own ground in the past 12 months and they have not won successive URC games for over a year. They are 11th in the table with two wins and a draw from six matches.

What they said

Cardiff head coach Matt Sherratt: “We were pleased last week and felt the players got their just rewards after being so close throughout the season.

“The resilience and fight they displayed, against a quality Stormers side, was fantastic and gives us something to build upon.

“We have been fortunate to welcome some quality internationals back, who give us further experiences, but it is also important to remain true to ourselves and to continue giving young players opportunities.

“The Scarlets will be determined to do the double over us and will have no shortage of motivation after their loss to the Ospreys.

Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel: “The last two times we have been up there we have had a real good away following.

“The stand opposite the tunnel there has been full of red for the last couple of seasons, so I look forward to that.

“That travelling support can make a huge difference. We have to put in a performance that they are proud of.

“I want us to throw the ball about and I want us to go and play and express ourselves.

“I enjoy going to the Arms Park. It’s a great place to play when it’s full. The crowd are right on top of you and it’s a good atmosphere. It’s loud and you get a real buzz there.”

Cardiff: Cameron Winnett; Josh Adams, Rey Lee-Lo, Willis Halaholo, Mason Grady; Tinus de Beer, Tomos Williams; Corey Domachowski, Liam Belcher (capt), Keiron Assiratti, Seb Davies, Teddy Williams, Alex Mann, Ellis Jenkins, Mackenzie Martin.

Replacements: Evan Lloyd, Rhys Carré, Rhys Litterick, Shane Lewis-Hughes, Josh Turnbull, Ellis Bevan, Jacob Beetham, Gabriel Hamer-Webb.

Scarlets: Johnny McNicholl; Tom Rogers, Johnny Williams, Eddie James, Steff Evans; Ioan Lloyd, Gareth Davies (capt); Wyn Jones, Ryan Elias, Harri O’Connor, Alex Craig, Jac Price, Vaea Fifita, Dan Davis, Carwyn Tuipulotu.

Replacements: Shaun Evans, Steff Thomas, Joe Jones, Morgan Jones, Teddy Leatherbarrow, Kieran Hardy, Charlie Titcombe, Ioan Nicholas.

Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)

Assistant referees: Rhys Jones & Gwyn Morris (WRU)

TMO: Wayne Davies (WRU).

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