[Sport] European Champions Cup: Scarlets v Toulon (Fri)

[_Happy boy]

Wales pair Samson Lee and Jake Ball were ruled out after suffering head knocks.

Scarlets' selection has also been affected by one positive case in their weekly Covid-19 tests.

A small number of close contacts were identified among the squad and those players are self-isolating and were unavailable for selection.

Only Leigh Halfpenny, Steff Hughes, Dan Jones, Wyn Jones and Ryan Elias survive from the side that started at Bath.

Wales pair Jonathan Davies and Johnny McNicholl return to the threequarters, while Tom Rogers comes in on the wing with Steff Evans suffering from a stomach bug.

Davies partners captain Steff Hughes in midfield, while Kieran Hardy links up with Dan Jones at half-back, with Gareth Davies dropping to the replacements bench.

Up front, Javan Sebastian replaces Lee at tight-head prop. Lee is undergoing head injury assessment return-to-play protocols, along with lock Ball, after both players picked up knocks at Bath.

The back-five have changed completely with a new-look second row partnership of Morgan Jones and Tevita Ratuva replacing Ball and Sam Lousi.

The back-row trio of Ed Kennedy, Josh Macleod and Uzair Cassiem start instead of Blade Thomson, Sione Kalamafoni and Jac Morgan, who will miss at least two months following knee ligament damage suffered against Bath.

Fly-half Rhys Patchell, who has been absent since suffering a head injury while with Wales for the Autumn Nations Cup, remains unavailable, while flanker James Davies is sidelined.

Toulon make four changes in the pack from their opening 26-14 win over Sale Sharks.

Hooker Christopher Tolofua replaces Anthony Etrillard who has a side strain, while Romain Taofifenua comes in for lock Eben Etzebeth (head injury).

In the back row Facundo Isa replaces Sergio Parisse (knee) and France captain Charles Ollivon returns in place of Raphael Lakafia.

Scarlets: Leigh Halfpenny; Johnny McNicholl, Jonathan Davies, Steff Hughes (capt), Tom Rogers; Dan Jones, Kieran Hardy; Wyn Jones, Ryan Elias, Javan Sebastian, Morgan Jones, Tevita Ratuva, Ed Kennedy, Josh Macleod, Uzair Cassiem.

Replacements: Marc Jones, Kemsley Mathias, Pieter Scholtz, Iestyn Rees, Dan Davis, Gareth Davies, Angus O'Brien, Tyler Morgan.

Toulon: Duncan Paia'aua; Ramiro Moyano Joya, Isaiah Toeava, Ma'a Nonu, Gabin Villière; Louis Carbonel, Baptiste Serin; Jean Baptiste Gros, Christopher Tolofua, Emerick Setiano, Brian Alainu'uese, Romain Taofifenua, Swan Rebbadj, Charles Ollivon (capt), Facundo Isa.

Replacements: Bastien Soury, Luka Tchelidze, Jérémy Boyadjis, Thomas Jolmes, Julien Ory, Theo Dachary, Anthony Meric, Masivesi Dakuwaqa.

Referee: Wayne Barnes (RFU).

Assistant referees: Adam Jones, Mike English (both WRU)

TMO: Ian Davies (RFU).