Scarlets' Leggatt-Jones given another chance at 10

Scarlets will again turn to 18-year-old Carwyn Leggatt-Jones at fly-half when they go to Edinburgh in the United Rugby Championship (URC) on Friday, with injuries and international call-ups stretching their options at 10.

Regular playmaker Sam Costelow is sidelined after being forced off on Wales duty against Scotland last weekend, while Joe Hawkins — another fly-half option this season — remains in the national squad preparing to face Ireland next week.

That has opened the door for the Carmarthen schoolboy to continue in the role.

Leggatt-Jones made his first regional start in last month's 20-20 URC draw at Benetton and showed maturity beyond his years in guiding the side around the field.

Director of rugby Nigel Davies says supporters are seeing a young player learning quickly at senior level.

"I think you're seeing exactly where he is at the moment," said Davies.

"There are bits of great stuff, which is what you expect from a young player coming through the system, and we're delighted with his progress.

"His work now is about being consistently in the game mentally as much as physically."

Leggatt-Jones has been balancing full-time training with his studies at Llandovery College while also starring for Wales Under-20s, where he played a controlling role in last week's 31-21 win over Scotland in Cardiff.

Davies says stepping into a dressing room of seasoned professionals has not fazed him.

"He's dealing with a lot of older players, but he's able to have a voice in that group, which is what you want from your 10s. We're really excited about where he can go," added Davies.

"Wales Under-20s has been really important for him, but ultimately the goal is to play regional rugby and push for the first team — and he's doing that now."

Davies has no doubts about Leggatt-Jones' long-term future.

"It's tough for him at the moment with his studies as well, so we've got to be mindful of that. But he wants to be a professional rugby player and I've no doubt that's what he'll become.

"We just need to make sure we support his education and help him along the way," added Davies.

Ioan Jones, the 21-year-old full-back who joined from Gloucester last summer, but has been sidelined by injury since arriving, is named among the replacements and will provide fly-half cover.

Billy McBryde, drafted in as emergency cover for the Benetton trip, has since returned to RGC.

Scarlets have also been boosted by the return of Wales squad members Josh Macleod and Tom Rogers, who were released from the national camp this week and will go straight into the starting line-up against Edinburgh.

Club captain Macleod started for Wales in their heavy Six Nations defeat by England, while Tom Rogers has been unused during the national side's campaign and has not played since Scarlets beat Ulster in January.

South Africa prop Boan Venter will earn his 100th Edinburgh appearance, while Mosese Tuipulotu is back from injury at centre.

Edinburgh: Paterson; Satala, Lang, Tuipulotu, Goosen; Thompson, Vellacott; Venter, Morris, Rae, Sykes, Young, Muncaster, Richardson, Bradbury.

Replacements: JBlyth-Lafferty, Whitcombe, O Blyth-Lafferty, Hunter-Hill, Boyle, Shiel, Scott, O'Conor.

Scarlets: J Davies; Rogers, Page, Roberts, Lewis; Leggatt-Jones, Hughes; Mathias, Van der Merwe, Henry Thomas, Ball, Lousi, Douglas, Macleod, Anderson.

Replacements: Harry Thomas, Hepburn, O'Connor, J Price, Taylor, Blacker, I Jones, McDonald.

Referee: Peter Martin (IRFU)

Assistant referees: Hollie Davidson (SRU), Rob McDowell (SRU)

TMO: Colin Stanley (IRFU)