Scarlets unveil new look European strip

The chocolate brown and scarlet jersey first appeared as the Llanelli team shirt in the 1883/1884 season. The region's home kit has been changed back to a true 'Scarlet' colour and the away shirt is linked into the colours of the Welsh flag.

The new quartered jerseys will be worn by both the Scarlets and Llanelli RFC and Scarlets Commercial Director Rupert Moon said: "Our kit designs connect the modern era with our great heritage which is so important to our brand. We want to wear our colour with pride and respect this season, and the new kit reflects our proud traditions."

The kit is launched on the eve of the Scarlets round one match against Brive and coach Nigel Davies emphasised how important this game is for his side.

"Those who pull on the shirt know on Saturday that they're responsible for representing us as a group and as a region," he said.

"It's a massive game for us and those chosen in the match day squad have a responsibility to take us forward. There were some very tough calls throughout the team this week and that's a very positive position to be in because we probably haven't had that for a year or two.

"There's lots of competition in the front row and the back row and even the back line wasn't easy to finalise. It's great to have these dilemmas. However, we've looked at putting what we believe to be our most potent backline on the field this weekend - and the players named are those that we believe will give us that edge on Saturday.

One of the players who was always likely to win a place in the starting XV was British Lion Stephen Jones, and he said: "As a group we're excited about this season's European challenge. We're in a competitive group, with Leinster who top the Magners League, London Irish going well in the Guinness Premiership and a strong French outfit.

"Even though Brive have a lot of British influence, like Andy Goode and Shaun Perry in their back line, the forwards play in a traditional French way - they have a heavy scrum, a big maul and they then look to their centres to give them some go-forward and direction.

"They may not play in the flamboyant style of Toulouse or Stade Francais but what they do can be very effective; I expect them to be very direct and physical on Saturday."