Howley will definitely play, but coach Lynn Howells hasn't yet decided whether to start with Jenkins or Lee Davies at fly-half.

Should Davies play it will be his first competitive game since his summer move from Swansea.

Rhys Williams is also fit to play after recovering from the bruised shoulder he suffered against South Africa.

Gareth Thomas is out, though, with a suspected hairline fracture of the left fibula.

He is awaiting the result of further examination, but the worst-case scenario could see him out for four weeks.

Hodges on bench

Llanelli have left their midweek signing, USA captain Dave Hodges, on the bench for the game.

Impressive youngster Dafydd Jones holds onto the blindside flanker berth.

In the backs, Llanelli fitness coach Wayne Proctor gets a rare start on the wing.

Centre Neil Boobyer is on the bench as the Scarlets restore the centre partnership of Dafydd James and Salesi Finau - criticised earlier in the season for lacking creativity.

Howells confident

Howells was confident that Cardiff possessed enough quality players to beat Llanelli.

He said: "Last season they deserved to beat us in the Heineken Cup, but it was pleasing that we then beat them in the league.

"It's always good to beat a top side, and they don't come much bigger than Llanelli."

He added: "It's very difficult after an international, especially as we've had three on the run, to re-focus on the bread and butter games.

"We've done well in Europe, so it'll be good to get back on the winning trail for the domestic league."

This will be Cardiff's first league match since loosing to Swansea on November 4, and Howells admitted that a win was vital to maintain his sides' championship aspirations.

"A win is always the most important thing - the performance comes after the win," he said.

"Whoever plays to their full potential will get the right result."

Teams - Cardiff: R Williams, N Walne, J Robinson, P Muller, C Morgan, N Jenkins/L Davies, R Howley (capt), P Rogers/A Lewis, J Humphreys, S John, C Quinnell, M Voyle/S Moore, D Baugh, M Williams, E Lewis
Replacements: tba

Llanelli: M Cardey, W Proctor, D James, S Finau, G Evans, S Jones, R Moon, P Booth, R McBryde, M Madden, V Cooper, C Wyatt, D Jones, I Boobyer, S Quinnell
Replacements: J Davies, M Thomas, C Gillies, D Hodges, D Peel, A Lawson, N Boobyer