Ulster v Scarlets (Fri)

MAGNERS LEAGUE
Venue: Ravenhill, Belfast Date: Friday, 5 September Kick-off: 1930 BST Coverage: Live on BBC Radio Ulster MW only, BBC Sport Wales coverage

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Scarlets flanker Simon Easterby has backed the new coaching regime in Llanelli to serve them well when they start their league campaign in Ulster.

Phil Davies departed at the end of last season, paving the way for Nigel Davies to return to Stradey Park as coach.

South African prop BJ Botha will make his first start for Ulster while Darren Cave makes his competitive debut.

Cave is partnered at centre by Scottish international Rob Dewey with Fijian Timoci Nagusa named on the left wing.

Former Ireland captain Easterby says the players must shoulder blame for last season's failings, but welcomed the new regime at the west Wales side.

"Nigel is single minded and the players have responded," said Easterby.

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"He has built a coaching team around him, with Paul Moriarty joined by John Muggleton.

"Brad Harrington and Ryan Campbell have come in on the conditioning side to complement what Nigel wants to do."

Gavin Evans and Rob Higgitt are expected to start at centre for the Scarlets in the injury absence of Regan King and Jon Davies.

LAST SEASON'S LEAGUE MEETINGS 12 October: Scarlets 32-8 Ulster 29 February: Ulster 20-8 Scarlets

Flanker Johnathan Edwards is a doubt after picking up a leg injury in last week's friendly win over Wasps. Honours were shared between the sides in their two Magners League clashes last season.

The Scarlets won 32-8 in Llanelli in October, but went down 20-8 in the return match at Ravenhill in February.

The two sides will also face each other in the group stages of this season's Heineken Cup.

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Ulster: C Schifcofske; A Trimble, D Cave, R Dewey, T Nagusa; P Wallace, I Boss; J Fitzpatrick, R Best (c), B Botha, C del Fava, E O'Donoghue; M McCullough, K Dawson, R Diack.
Replacements: N Brady, T Court, R Caldwell, D Pollock, C Willis, N O'Connor, B Cunningham.

Scarlets: Morgan Stoddart; Darren Daniel, Rob Higgitt; Gavin Evans, Mark Jones; Stephen Jones, Sililo Martens; Iestyn Thomas, Matthew Rees, Kees Meeuws, Lou Reed, Simon Maling, Simon Easterby, Gavin Thomas, David Lyons.
Replacements: Deacon Manu, Mahonri Schwalger, Vernon Cooper, Dafydd Jones, Martin Roberts, Ceiron Thomas, Nathan Brew, Daniel Evans, Scott MacLeod.

Referee: Peter Allan (SRU)