Munster and Scarlets go toe-to-toe on Saturday evening at the Aviva Stadium with the Guinness PRO12 title at stake. Munster are back in the Guinness PRO12 final for the first time since 2015 when they were defeated by Glasgow Warriors in Belfast, while Scarlets are aiming to win their first Championship title since 2004. Last Friday, Scarlets created history in the Guinness PRO12 when their 27-15 win over Leinster saw them become the first team ever to win a semi-final game away from home. Munster overcame Ospreys in their semi-final at Thomond Park on Saturday, running out 23-3 winners and scoring three tries to keep up their outstanding form. What’s at stake? Winning the Guinness PRO12 trophy is the ultimate motivation and Scarlets are going in search of their second title, whereas Munster are playing for a fourth. If Rassie Erasmus’ side were to achieve that feat, it would put them on a par with Leinster and Ospreys, who share the record for most titles. 🚨 #GUINNESSPRO12FINAL teams for @Munsterrugby v @scarlets_rugby 🚨 📺 @SkySportsRugby @Rugbai_BEO @BBCWalesSport #SUAF #INTHEPACK #MUNvSCA pic.twitter.com/o5y1U4WilJ — PRO12RUGBY (@PRO12rugby) May 26, 2017 The Munstermen are in superb form and have won their last seven Guinness PRO12 matches. They will hope to win one more in the effort to succeed Connacht Rugby as champions of the competition. Scarlets are also in scintillating form, having won their last six PRO12 fixtures – their only defeat in the competition in 2017 was on a visit to Leinster in round 17. Munster will take the home changing room and to avoid a colour clash Scarlets will play in red whilst Munster will be in their alternate navy kit. Munster team news: Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus has named an unchanged 23 from the squad that defeated Ospreys last Saturday. That means Simon Zebo goes at full-back, with Andrew Conway and Keith Earls on the wings while Francis Saili and Rory Scannell form the centre partnership. 📺 🎥 Get in the mood for tomorrow! WATCH our Road to the Final#GUINNESSPRO12FINAL pic.twitter.com/NsySThkiIq — Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) May 26, 2017 Conor Murray will make his 100th Munster appearance next to Tyler Bleyendall, who will pull the strings at fly-half. CJ Stander auditions for the Lions at No 8, with Tommy O’Donnell and Peter O’Mahony on the flanks. Donnacha Ryan wins his final Munster cap alongside Billy Holland and the front row is formed by Dave Kilcoyne, Niall Scannell and John Ryan. Scarlets team news: Head coach Wayne Pivac is also able to name an unchanged XV from his side’s semi-final victory over Leinster after Steff Evans’ red card was rescinded during the week. Gareth Davies will make his 150th Scarlets appearance in style – he’s partnered in the half-backs by fly-half Rhys Patchell. Scott Williams and Jonathan Davies are the centres and Evans and Liam Williams occupy the wings, with Johnny McNicholl at 15. In-form Rob Evans and Samson Lee pack down either side of Ryan Elias, with Lewis Rawlins and Tadhg Beirne in the engine room. Scotland’s John Barclay captains at No 8, Aaron Shingler is on the blindside once again, and James Davies goes at openside. Talking points: Munster Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus pointed to flexibility as a key factor in his team’s bid to win a final. “You lose players to internationals, injuries; it’s a long season of 22 matches and you play different styles – you play a Welsh team and then an Italian team,” said Erasmus. “So when you get to a final, the trick is to understand totally how the opposition’s playing. Comparing what we faced against Ospreys to this week, it is totally different. “Scarlets are a complete team because they’ve played Saracens twice. A lot of teams learn a lot after playing Saracens. “Their game plan changed a little bit after they played Saracens twice. Hopefully we can also use that.” Scarlets head coach Wayne Pivac said: “We know they’re a very good side. You don’t finish top after the round robin stage for nothing. FINAL | Pivac; “We’d like to create some history of our own,” #GUINNESSPRO12Final https://t.co/FJvkBH3uq5 pic.twitter.com/JLZ2QVI5kR — Scarlets Rugby (@scarlets_rugby) May 26, 2017 “They’ve got the best defensive record in the championship and they’re a side that we have a lot of respect for. “We took some confidence out of that win [at Thomond Park] but it’s going to be a different occasion altogether. We have to make sure we go out there and play our game and enjoy the occasion. “The boys know that if they get it right on the day, they can beat anyone, so we just have to get it right on the day.” Lions Watch: Five of the two clubs’ six players selected for this summer’s British & Irish Lions tour to New Zealand will start at the Aviva Stadium. The only exception is Scarlets hooker Ken Owens, who sits out again as he tries to overcome an ankle injury. Scarlets’ two other Lions both start, with Jonathan Davies lining up at outside centre and danger man Liam Williams on the wing. Conor Murray starts at scrum-half for Munster, and they have two Lions in the back row in the shape of captain Peter O’Mahony and No 8 CJ Stander. Key stat: The Munstermen have won their last seven Guinness PRO12 matches, whilst their only defeat in the Championship since round 6 was 21-30 at home to Scarlets in round 16. Did you know? Munster have lost on their last three appearances at Aviva Stadium in all tournaments and have won just once there since the old Lansdowne Road was reconfigured: 34-23 against Leinster in round 5 of the PRO12 in season 2014/15. Munster top points-scorer: Tyler Bleyendaal 134. Top try-scorer: Ronan O’Mahony 9 Scarlets top points-scorer: Rhys Patchell 133. Top try-scorer: Steff Evans 12 Guinness PRO12 head to head record: Played 28, Munster won 16, Scarlets won 10 with 2 games drawn. At Aviva Stadium, 18:15pm Live on Sky Sports/TG4/BBC Wales Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales) Assistant Referees: David Wilkinson (Ireland), Ian Davies (Wales) TMO: Neil Paterson (Scotland)
