Lock Damian Welch will make his first Heineken Cup start for Exeter Chiefs when they take on his former club Scarlets today.
Welch joined from the RaboDirect Pro 12 side in May and played in Chiefs' LV= Cup successes over London Welsh and Ospreys, but has yet to feature for his new club in either the Aviva Premiership or European Cup rugby.
However, that changes today against his old club when Chiefs travel to Parc y Scarlets. Welch said: "It has been a long time coming. It will be nice to have my first full start against the team I left last year, so it is special in two ways.
"There are boys here who have played well all season in my position so I have just had to wait my turn really. It will be nice to get the chance to try and emulate them this weekend.
"It is one of those things, with the caliber of the squad we've got here and the number of boys who have been here a long time. The coaches here have been very clear that it would not be a case of me just turning up and starting games.
"I've had a few games before for Scarlets against former clubs and they have always been games that you put a lot of emphasis on and this is a game I want to do well in. It's one I can't wait to get into."
Welch made four Heineken Cup appearances for Scarlets after moving from Cardiff Blues in 2009. He understands Chiefs' opponents this weekend better than most.
Both sides go into the game without a win this year's competition. He said: "Scarlets are one of those clubs that have a bit of tradition in the Heineken Cup – it is one of those competitions that they like to target.
"That is what we will see this weekend. We will see a club that is very passionate about the Heineken Cup. It will be a challenge for us to go there and meet fire with fire.
"They have probably not done as well as they would have expected to this season. They will want to turn that over by doing a number on us. They are a dangerous team and one that no side in Europe should take lightly."
Team news for the Chiefs sees head coach Rob Baxter make six changes to his line-up with recalls in the pack for Simon Alcott, Hoani Tui, Welch and Tom Johnson, while backs Gonzalo Camacho and Sireli Naqelevuki are also included from the outset.
Exeter Chiefs: Arscott; Camacho, Naqelevuki, Shoemark, Jess; Steenson, Thomas; Sturgess, Alcott, Tui; Hayes (capt), Welch; Johnson, Scaysbrook, Baxter. Replacements: Clark, Moon, Rimmer, Muldowney, Mumm, Barrett, Mieres, Whitten.
