If the Scarlets can overcome the loss of the talismanic Stephen Jones to France and Leigh Davies (gone walkabout in Australia) and the absence of Robin McBryde (prolapsed disc) for at least six months, then they should remain Wales' standard-bearers.

With Jones' regular understudy joined by the prodigal Welsh son Arwel Thomas, Llanelli still seem to have the strongest of the four Welsh squads.

The arrival of Gavin Thomas gives them a genuine openside and Matthew Rees is a promising hooker.

There still seems to much reliance on Scott Quinnell, especially in Europe, but they can travel and the Stradey Park factor, where crowds rose to an average of six- to seven-thousand last year, will also sustain them through winter.

In: Aisea Havili (Celtic Warriors), Andrew Powell (Leicester), Matthew Rees (Celtic Warriors), Arwel Thomas (Pau), Gavin Thomas (Ospreys).

Out: Leigh Davies (released), Stephen Jones (Montferrand), Emyr Lewis (player/coach Felinfoel), Richard Rees (released), Gareth Williams (released), Adam Yelland (New Zealand).

Coach: Gareth Jenkins.

Last season: 1st.

Odds: 5/2 fav.

Forecast: 1st.