TAVIS Knoyle returns to the Scarlets line-up this evening, with the young scrum-half looking to maintain his rapid rise after a stunning debut season at the region.

Knoyle's dream start to life in the senior ranks culminated in him winning his first Wales cap against the All Blacks in Dunedin in the summer.

The 20-year-old from Glynneath has already been earmarked as a star of the future, but will need a strong game against the Exeter Chiefs at Parc y Scarlets (7pm) after Martin Roberts threw down the gauntlet with an impressive two-try display against Worcester last weekend.

Knoyle is one of four Wales tourists to return to the ranks, with Jonathan Davies, Rob McCusker and Ken Owens named on the bench.

The Scarlets' three other internationals — the experienced trio of Stephen Jones, Sean Lamont and new captain Matthew Rees — are being rested ahead of the exertions of the Magners League and are also unlikely to start in the season's opener against Treviso next Saturday.

Satisfied

On-loan Bath signing Jonny Fa'amatuainu is again missing from the match-day squad as the Scarlets await the final paperwork over his work visa. They were hoping it might arrive today, allowing the Samoan to be part of the match-day squad.

Davies, meanwhile, has been satisfied with the way pre-season has gone, but with the Treviso clash just eight days away, he knows the Scarlets cannot take a backward step ahead of their testing Italian mission.

"There were a number of good performances last weekend and many have retained their starting positions as a result of their commitment last week," said Davies. "We have some good variety on the bench as well, but the guys know there are no guarantees at the moment.

"The players know this is a crucial game in the selection process for the first game against Treviso, so it will be good to see how they all go.

"Exeter are a strong team and a big side, and in some ways it's good preparation for us as they will be similar in parts of their game to the Italians."

The match will be a testimonial to long-serving Scarlets lock Vernon Cooper, who is named among the replacements.

In 14 seasons in a Scarlets jersey, the 33-year old Wales international has racked up 353 games and captained the side as a stand-in for the injured Leigh Davies during the 2003-04 campaign, when the Scarlets were crowned Celtic League champions.

"It was certainly a lot easier to be a player back when I first started," smiled Cooper, who made his Scarlets debut at the age of 18.

I know I've only got a few more miles on the clock now, but as long as I am enjoying playing and feel excited to pull on the shirt, then I'll keep going. Besides, I think I've got quite a lot to give some of the younger guys coming through and hopefully pass that experience on.

"I am looking forward to tonight's game and I'm grateful to the region and all its supporters for all the great backing I have had so far in my rugby career."

Scarlets: M. Stoddart; J. Ajuwa, G. Maule, R. King, G. North; R. Priestland, T. Knoyle; I. Thomas, E. Phillips, R. Thomas, L. Reed, D. Welch, J. Turnbull, D. Lyons (capt), J. Edwards. Reps: R. McCusker, G. Davies, D. Evans, J. Davies, A. Fenby, D. Manu, K. Owens, D. Day, V. Cooper, R. Pugh.

Exeter Chiefs: L. Arscott; M. Jess, B. Rennie, M. Foster, N. Sestaret; G. Steenson, J. Poluleuligaga; B. Sturgess, N. Clark, H. Tui, T. Hayes, J. Hanks, C. Slade, J. Scaysbrook, J. Phillips. Reps: S. Alcott, C. Budgen, B. Moon, D. Gannon, C. Bentley, A. Miller, T. Johnson, H. Thomas, G. Cowley, P. Dollman, J. Matavesi