Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

There will be a minute's silence before kick-off in memory of former Wales coach Kevin Bowring, who has died at the age of 70.

Bowring became Wales' first full-time professional coach when he took over in late 1995.

He led Wales in 29 matches, with 15 wins and 14 defeats, before leaving the role in 1998.

In September 2001, English rugby's governing body the Rugby Football Union (RFU) appointed Bowring as its head of elite coach development.

Bowring stayed at the RFU until his retirement in 2016 but afterwards continued to mentor young coaches as a coach development consultant, including spending some time with the Welsh regional coaches.

Bowring was born in Neath and was a product of Neath Grammar School.

He played a few games for the Neath senior side in the back row alongside his boyhood idol Dai Morris, the former Wales flanker.

Bowring spent nine years with London Welsh where he appeared in 268 games, captaining the club for three seasons and representing the Barbarians on three occasions.

A teacher by profession, Bowring hung up his playing boots at 32 when he took up a job at Clifton College.

It's looking like it will be very close to a sell-out here at the Arms Park, with more than 12,000 fans coming through the gates.

Among them will be a full house of Wales coaches with Warren Gatland, Rob Howley, Mike Forshaw, Jon Humphreys and Alex King all casting an eye.

Ian Gough
Former Wales international on BBC Radio Wales

Scarlets are going to be hurt from defeat at home to Cardiff a few weeks ago.

Cardiff seem to have that air of confidence about them, but we'll see how that plays out because Scarlets have taken a few scalps here over the years.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

As we mentioned, Alex Craig is a late addition to the Scarlets' starting side today, despite talk that he could move to Glasgow next month.

Craig, 27, is being linked with a move to the Scottish side in November to replace Richie Gray, who is leaving to play club rugby in Japan.

Craig signed a new Scarlets contract in June.

Scarlets and United Rugby Championship champions Glasgow are currently discussing the potential transfer.

Dwayne Peel said there was "nothing to add" when asked whether Craig would be moving to Scotland.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

It has been a good week for Cardiff full-back Cameron Winnett, who was named 2023-24 young player of the year by the Welsh Rugby Writers' Association (WRWA) after his breakthrough season with Wales.

Winnett, 21, made his Wales debut in the 2024 Six Nations match against Scotland, going on to start every match in the tournament.

He has now played seven internationals.

Winnett has stepped into the shoes of Leigh Halfpenny and Liam Williams, who between them monopolised the Wales number 15 shirt for more than a decade.

"It was a crazy season, I didn't expect to be where I am now," said Winnett.

"I'm grateful for the opportunities I've had and it's been a good year.

"The best moment is definitely my first cap for Wales. It's every kid's dream."

Dan Evans
Former Wales, Ospreys, Scarlets and Dragons fullback on Radio Cymru

Scarlets will be disappointed with their loss at home against Connacht last week and they've tried to mix things up with more of a runner at 10 in Ioan Lloyd.

With Cardiff, they've got a strong bench with Aled Davies and Callum Sheedy to come on. If they are leading they both control the game so well.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Wales fly-half Sam Costelow is replaced by regional and international rival Ioan Lloyd for Scarlets this afternoon.

Lloyd had an absolute stormer here last season and Scarlets will be hoping for a repeat performance.

Costelow drops to the replacements' bench, while prop Kemsley Mathias and hooker Marnus van der Merwe start instead of Alec Hepburn and Ryan Elias.

There is also a late change to the Scarlets' starting XV, with Alex Craig promoted from the bench as Max Douglas misses out. Jac Price comes on to the bench.

Scarlets: Ioan Nicholas; Tom Rogers, Johnny Williams, Eddie James, Blair Murray; Ioan Lloyd, Gareth Davies; Kemsley Mathias, Marnus van der Merwe, Henry Thomas, Sam Lousi, Alex Craig, Josh Macleod (capt), Dan Davis, Taine Plumtree.

Replacements: Ryan Elias, Alec Hepburn, Sam Wainwright, Jac Price, Carwyn Tuipulotu, Efan Jones, Sam Costelow, Macs Page.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Centre Ben Thomas captains Cardiff today in the absence of injured hooker Liam Belcher, with Evan Lloyd also missing.

Efan Daniel wears the hosts' number two shirt as one of four changes from the side that lost to Glasgow, with prop Ed Byrne replacing the injured Corey Domachowski.

Cardiff head coach Matt Sherratt has swapped his half-backs, with Ellis Bevan and Tinus de Beer starting instead of Aled Davies and Callum Sheedy, while Wales flanker James Botham is among the replacements.

Cardiff: Cam Winnett; Mason Grady, Rey Lee-Lo, Ben Thomas (capt), Harri Millard; Tinus de Beer, Ellis Bevan; Ed Byrne, Efan Daniel, Keiron Assiratti, Josh McNally, Teddy Williams, Ben Donnell, Dan Thomas, Alun Lawrence.

Replacements: Daf Hughes, Danny Southworth, Rhys Litterick, Mackenzie Martin, James Botham, Aled Davies, Callum Sheedy, Gabriel Hamer-Webb.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Hello and prynhawn da from the Welsh capital, where Cardiff welcome Scarlets in the United Rugby Championship.

What a contrast the start of the season has been for these two sides.

Cardiff lost last week for the first time in the URC season, against Glasgow, having won their opening two games, including a stunning comeback victory in Llanelli.

Dwayne Peel's Scarlets side are yet to win this campaign, with two defeats coming after a 20-20 draw at Zebre on the opening weekend.

So let's face it... Scarlets need a win and desperately.

This could well be the place to do it.

They have won five of their last seven encounters with Cardiff and have been victorious on their last four visits to the Arms Park.

Let's start by taking a look at the teams.