Simon Easterby’s side gained a gutsy 26-26 draw against big spending Racing Metro last weekend in Europe’s showpiece event and now head to Italy with realistic expectations of moving upwards in the points table as they currently sit in eighth position.
The Scarlets have tinkered with selection with Welsh squad halfbacks Rhodri Williams and Rhys Priestland dropping down to the replacements bench with Gareth Davies returning at scrum half and Steve Shingler replacing Priestlant at fly half.
There is a first opportunity in a Scarlets jersey for new addition, 130kg Romanian international prop Horatiu Pungea who has been added to the squad after Deacon Manu suffered a fractured arm.
Scarlets Attack Coach Mark Jones said: “The fact that our team were frustrated in the dressing room with a draw to Racing Metro says a lot about how much we believed we could take that victory against a side with significantly more resources at their disposal and packed with international stars on the field and bench.
“As a Scarlets team, we’ve worked hard this season in training and have a group of very committed and talented players who really want to show what Scarlets rugby is all about. That ambition came together in the Heineken Cup and now we have to bring that level of intensity, hunger and consistency to our league form.
“We know that Zebre have been building as a team and are no push-overs and they have a decent try scoring record in this competition; so we know we have a lot to do over there and ensure our execution is the right level.
“This game may not have the profile around it as last weekend’s but the team knows these away games were a vital element in us achieving a top-four spot in the PRO12 last season – and that’s our target again.”
