Scarlets v Edinburgh team news: Aaron Shingler to bid for Wales Six Nations place during in top of table clash

The blindside flanker packed down for Wales versus the Barbarians and hopes to force his way into the team to face France in Six Nations

Aaron Shingler starts for the Scarlets against Edinburgh in a crunch top-of-the-table Guinness PRO14 clash in Llanelli tomorrow.

The blindside flanker will hope to put in an eye-catching display in the Conference B battle ahead of Wales coach Wayne Pivac picking his side for next weekend's Six Nations meeting with France in Cardiff.

Shingler started Pivac's debut match as boss, against the Barbarians, but wasn't involved in the match-day 23 during the win over Italy and the loss in Ireland.

However, there are question-marks over the composition of the Wales back-row to face France and he could come into the reckoning.

Pivac has also released Rob Evans for regional duty this weekend with the loosehead prop on the Scarlets bench against Edinburgh.

With Leigh Halfpenny and Johnny McNicholl kept in camp by Wales, outside-half Angus O’Brien does emergency duty at full-back, slotting into a back three with Corey Baldwin and Steff Evans.

Samoa centre Kieron Fonotia has recovered from a calf issue to take his place in a side showing six changes from Scarlets’ last match - a stunning European Challenge Cup victory over London Irish.

Wales Under-20 hooker Dom Booth is poised to make his competitive debut off the bench.

There is also a return for promising flanker Dan Davis, who has been sidelined since early November by a serious toe injury.

Edinburgh coach Richard Cockerill has named 10 internationals in his squad with WP Nel, Grant Gilchrist, Nick Haining, Luke Crosbie, Henry Pyrgos and Matt Scott being released for it by Scotland coach Gregor Townsend.

"We’ve been back in training for two weeks preparing for Scarlets and this next block of fixtures - it’s a big few weeks," said Cockerill.

"We’ve got a few guys back from Scotland camp with it being fallow week, so we travel south with a good bit of experience.

"We face tricky weather conditions on Saturday however, so it’s going to be a battle no matter what.

"These games are pivotal for us and it starts with Scarlets. They are a quality team with plenty of internationalists, and they have a great home record as well, so we know how tough a test we face."

Scarlets are three points behind Edinburgh and victory could put them top of Conference B. Kick-off at Parc y Scarlets is 3pm.

Scarlets: Angus O’Brien; Corey Baldwin, Kieron Fonotia, Steff Hughes (capt), Steff Evans; Dan Jones, Kieran Hardy; Phil Price, Taylor Davies, Samson Lee, Lewis Rawlins, Sam Lousi, Aaron Shingler, Josh Macleod, Uzair Cassiem.

Subs: Dom Booth. Rob Evans, Werner Kruger, Tevita Ratuva, Dan Davis, Dane Blacker, Paul Asquith, Ryan Conbeer.

Edinburgh: Damien Hoyland; Eroni Sau, Mark Bennett, Matt Scott, Duhan van der Merwe; Jaco van der Walt, Henry Pyrgos (capt); Pierre Schoeman, David Cherry, WP Nel, Lewis Carmichael, Grant Gilchrist, Nick Haining, Luke Crosbie, Viliame Mata.

Subs: Mike Willemse, Jamie Bhatti, Pietro Ceccarelli, Fraser McKenzie, John Barclay, Nic Groom, Simon Hickey, George Taylor.