Wales back-row forward Taine Plumtree is poised for his first appearance of the season off the bench for Scarlets in their Challenge Cup opener against Newcastle Red Bulls.

The 26-year-old, who had summer shoulder surgery, has been named as a replacement for Saturday's fixture in Llanelli (20:00 BST).

Fit-again number eight Fletcher Anderson and scrum-half Gareth Davies make first starts of the season as two of seven changes made to the starting line-up from the late victory against Benetton.

Director of rugby Nigel Davies also brings in centres Joe Roberts and Johnny Williams, hooker John McKee, tight-head prop Harri O'Connor and lock Harvey Cuckson.

Plumtree, who faced Barbarians and Fiji with Wales in the summer, missed the start of the 2026-27 season after his surgery but makes a timely return.

Wales head coach Steve Tandy names his squad for the Nations Championship on Tuesday, 20 October, with Scarlets then facing a tough United Rugby Championship (URC) double-header in South Africa against Stormers and Bulls.

Plumtree is among the replacements with strong-running Anderson making a first start of the campaign after he returned from a groin injury off the bench against Benetton.

In-form wing Macs Page, who is being mooted as a potential inclusion in the Wales squad, makes his 50th Scarlets appearance.

Newcastle, coached by former Scarlets and Wales fly-half Stephen Jones, give debuts to wing Brandon Jackson and Argentina loose-head prop Francisco Moreno as they hunt a first win of the season.

Scarlets: Murray; Mee, Roberts, Williams, Page; Costelow, G Davies; Mathias, McKee, Harri O'Connor, Cuckson, Groves, Lousi, Macleod (capt), Anderson.

Replacements: Elias, Sam O'Connor, Hawley, Plumtree, Davis, Blacker, Hawkins, James.

Newcastle: Hodge; Ene, Harris, Hutchison, Jackson; Dalziel, Elliott; West, Fletcher, Moreno, Baker, Molina, Ferrie, Leatherbarrow, Graham (capt).

Replacements: Adejimi, Brocklebank, McCallum, Usher, Hicks, Benitez Cruz, Connon, Spencer.

Referee: Evan Urruzmendi (France)

Assistants: Anthony Lac & Ludovic Lespes (France)

TMO: Jean Lespes