The Scarlets are facing an injury crisis ahead of their Heineken Champions Cup trip to face Leicester this weekend.

Rhys Patchell is still recovering from a head injury, while Angus O’Brien – who deputised at No.10 for the opening round home defeat to Racing 92 – has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a ruptured knee ligament.

That leaves Dan Jones to provide the guiding hand against the Tigers this weekend, where his likely back-up will be centre Steff Hughes.

To add to coach Wayne Pivac’s problems, wing Johnny McNicholl is also ruled out after taking a bang to the head against Racing.

Paul Asquith is likely to deputise on the wing at Welford Road on Friday.

“We’ve had Steff Hughes playing 10 for Scarlets A along with Dan and we think he’s got the skill-set to do that, maybe long-term,” Pivac said.

“So he’s been working with Stephen (Jones, backs coach) and the other tens for a couple of months now.”

South African back row forward Uzair Cassiem is available again after suspension.