Scarlets and Ospreys were hit hard ahead of this afternoon’s Welsh derby in Llanelli (knockout, 5.15pm).

Welsh midfielder Sam Costelow has been dropped from the hosts’ starting line-up after failing a physical due to a hamstring problem. It would be Costelow’s first game since he injured his shoulder and hamstring for Wales against the Barbarians in early November.

The Ospreys also had some bad news to share just hours before kick-off when Wales Six Nations hopeful Morgan Morris was substituted at number eight in the starting XV. Details about Morris’ absence have not yet been released.

Ioan Lloyd starts at number 10 for the Scarlets, with Tom Rodgers moving to full-back and Ioan Nicholas to the right. Charlie Titcomb is now on the bench.

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Scarlets: 15Tom Rogers; 14 Ioan Nicholas, 13 Joe Roberts, 12 Jonny Williams, 11 Ryan Conbeer; 10 Ioan Lloyd, 9 Gareth Davies; 1 Kemsley Mathias, 2 Ryan Elias, 3 Sam Wainwright, 4 Alex Craig, 5 Jak Price, 6 Sam Luzi, 7 Teddy Leatherbarrow, 8 Josh McLeod (captain).

Substitutes: 16 Sean Evans, 17 Vin Jones, 18 Joe Jones, 19 Morgan Jones, 20 Ben Williams, 21 Kieran Hardy, 22 Jonathan Davies, 23 Charlie Titcombe.

Ospreys: Jack Walsh; Mat Prothero, George North, Owen Watkin, Keelan Giles; Owen Williams, Ruben Morgan-Williams; Gareth Thomas, Davy Lake, Tom Botha, James Fender, Adam Bird (captain), Rhys Davies, Harry Deaves, Morgan Morse.

Subs: Sam Parry, Garin Phillips, Ben Warren, Lewis Jones, Tristan Davies, Luke Davies, Dan Edwards, Luke Morgan.

Referee: Craig Evans (WRU)