NEW signing Jonny Fa'amatuainu will be among the next batch of players handed their first taste of Scarlets action this season in Saturday's clash with Worcester Warriors at Parc y Scarlets (3pm).

The loan arrival from Bath is set to feature in regional colours for the first time as head coach Nigel Davies continues his preparations ahead of the Magners League opener in Treviso in just over two weeks.

Davies fielded a largely youthful line-up made up of semi-pro and fringe players in a 26-6 defeat to Gloucester at Kingsholm last weekend.

But as he looks to fine tune things for the Italian trip, there are likely to be more familiar faces on show against the Warriors — including Fa'amatuainu, a fit-again Morgan Stoddart and All Black Regan King.

"Pre-season is a balancing act and I was happy with a lot of things from the Gloucester game considering the lack of experience in the side," said Davies. "It was a case of having a look at players at this level, which is something you don't get during the campaign.

"This weekend there will be a lot more senior players on show and then against Exeter (Aug 27), all our Welsh internationals will be available with the exception of Matthew Rees, Stephen Jones and possibly Sean Lamont."

Among those to catch the eye at Kingsholm was 6ft 4in 18-year-old wing George North.

"I thought he did very well and I believe he is certainly ready for regional rugby," added Davies. "He has impressed in training, he impressed us on Saturday and we will have a good look at him again this week."

The Scarlets complete their pre-season schedule against newly promoted Aviva Premiership side Exeter Chiefs in Llanelli a week on Friday before the Magners opener in northern Italy on September 4.

Saturday's clash will also provide centre Rob Higgitt with an early return to Llanelli following his summer switch to Sixways, while former Scarlets director of rugby Phil Davies will also be part of the Warriors' party after joining Richard Hill's side as forwards coach.

The match will be a testimonial for former captain Mark Jones, who announced his retirement from rugby earlier this month. The region are a hoping for a large turnout of fans to honour a player who has been a great servant to the Scarlets and who is now on board as skills coach.