Wasps are old rivals with the men from Stradey Park

The game at Stradey Park on 27 August will be shown live on BBC Wales Scrum V, as the Scarlets put their Celtic League credentials on the line.

Wasps, the European and English champions, will be without injured former Wales scrum-half Rob Howley.

But Howley is still looking forward to the match: "A clash of two champions will certainly bring in the crowds," he said.

Howley has had surgery on his wrist and does not expect to return to action until November.

He revealed that Wasps had expected to face the Scarlets in last season's Heineken Cup semi-finals and were eager to gain revenge for a past defeat in the competition.

But Biarritz upset the form book at Stradey Park in the quarters, denying Wasps the chance to get even on their way to the European crown.

With that history, Howley hinted that the match is unlikely to fall within the boundaries of a pre-season 'friendly'.

"I know that the Wasps players have a little bit of a bugbear as they lost to Llanelli in the European Cup several seasons ago, so the Scarlets are foremost in our minds," Howley said.

Wasps have recruited England scrum-half Matt Dawson in the close season, who in Howley's absence could begin an early Six Nations battle with the Scarlets' Wales number nine Dwayne Peel.

There should also be a chance for number eight's Lawrence Dallaglio and Scott Quinnell to relive their past rivalries at international level.

Howley given Lions hint

Although Howley ended his Wales career two years ago, he still has his eyes on making his third British and Irish Lions tour, when the class of 2005 head to New Zealand.

England coach Clive Woodward will take charge of the Lions and has already said that the door is open for the likes of Howley and former England skipper Martin Johnson, despite their retirement from the Test arena.

"It's great news not just for myself but for others who are not playing international rugby - it opens the door," Howley said.

"I'm sure Clive is not going to leave any stone unturned, but we're all very aware that a year is a long time in rugby.

"I just want to get myself fully fit first and I think I'll have a hard enough job trying to compete with Matt Dawson at London Wasps!"