Magners League - Leinster v Scarlets
Venue: Royal Dublin Society Date: Friday, 4 March Kick-off: 1935 GMT
Coverage: Watch exclusively live on BBC TWO Wales & online and score updates on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru & BBC Sport website

Jonathan Davies is set to win his 10th Wales cap against Ireland on 12 March

Wales will not release centre Jonathan Davies for the Scarlets' Magners League trip to Leinster on Friday night.

Davies missed Wales' Six Nations win in Italy last weekend with a hamstring injury picked up against Scotland.

Davies has recovered but Wales seem unwilling to expose him to regional rugby a week before hosting Ireland.

"As far as I know Jonathan is fit," said Scarlets coach Nigel Davies. "[Wales] are probably being very mindful of the injury."

The 22-year-old missed Wales' autumn Tests because of an ankle injury and returned to fitness for the Scarlets' festive Magners League derbies with the Ospreys and Dragons.

The nine-times capped midfielder could be recalled for Ireland's Six Nations visit to Cardiff on 12 March.

Davies's absence will be a blow to the Scarlets as they visit last season's Magners League Grand Final runners-up on Friday as Nigel Davies's men bid to cement their place in the league's top four as they close in on a play-off place.

"You have to be very careful with hamstrings," admitted the coach.

"If you have a recurrence of a problem there it can become quite acute.

You have to be very careful with hamstrings. If you have a recurrence of a problem there it can become quite acute Scarlets coach Nigel Davies

"So that is probably the reason why he hasn't been released, but it would have been nice to have him.

"But having said that, it is a position that we are quite strong in at the moment."

The injury to Jonathan Davies was pivotal to Wales' selection for their 24-16 win in Italy last Saturday.

With Davies unable to partner Jamie Roberts in midfield, James Hook was moved to centre, allowing Stephen Jones to regain the fly-half spot he had lost for the 24-6 victory in Scotland.

But although Davies is being kept in Wales camp, coach Warren Gatland has agreed to release four other Scarlets players for their trip to Dublin.

Scrum-half Tavis Knoyle, fly-half Rhys Priestland and back-rowers Josh Turnbull and Rob McCusker will link up with the region, although Stephen Jones and national captain Matthew Rees will also remain with Wales.

"That is very pleasing," added Davies.

"They are quality players. They haven't had much game-time with Wales so they need that game-time.

"And I think having been exposed to the international environment and to the international game, they are all desperate to get more rugby under their belt. So it is great to have them back."

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