Scarlets Great looks ahead to promise of Heineken classic this weekend

Scarlets President Phil Bennett has called on the region’s supporters and the Welsh rugby loving public to get to Parc y Scarlets on Saturday afternoon for the vital Pool 1 Heineken Cup clash against Munster to celebrate and be part of what he describes will be a “European rugby classic”.

 

 

With up to 2,000 Munster supporters making the trip to West Wales to be part of the great Heineken Cup occasion, the atmosphere is set to be electric and loyal Irish supporters will get a warm welcome from a packed Scarlets stadium on Saturday afternoon with around 12,000 tickets sold for the game so far.

Munster’s no10 Ronan O’Gara has this week paid tribute to the Scarlets values as a club and its rugby supporters in West Wales. Parc y Scarlets welcomes Ronan O’Gara for his 100th Heineken Cup appearance this Saturday with the tournament’s leading point scorer saying the two clubs have great traditions and values that mirror each other.

Munster’s cool-headed pivotal man paid tribute to the Scarlets ‘hard-working’ and ‘head-down mentality’ saying the two sides that face each other this weekend have mindsets to match.

Ronan O’Gara said: “I think Munster and Scarlets have very similar values. They’re honest, hard-working and they’re capable of lifting their game for any occasion.

“The two clubs have similar core values and they stick to those values and I think when you do that you have a chance of competing in this competition. There’s a huge tradition in both clubs and we have similar mindsets.

“The Scarlets work very hard for everything they get, they keep their heads down and they work again and that how you get results in this business. That’s exactly what Scarlets have done.”

“I think they’ve been building away quietly for a while putting together a very good squad. They’ve a very shrewd coaching staff some really good young ambitious players and once you get the mix of experience and youth it’s a very potent combination. We’ve a little bit of that in our own team as well at the minute so it makes for a fascinating game. I’d envisage it being a close game, well I hope it’ll be a close game.”

O’Gara said the threat poised by the Scarlets this season was one Munster were well-aware of arriving at Parc y Scarlets this weekend.

He said: “Scarlets have had some momentous moments in the Heineken Cup. They’re obviously keen on winning the competition they’ve been knocking on the door. Maybe had a quiet few years but this season they’re back with a bang. They’re a dangerous side probably one of the form sides in Europe with their demolition of Northampton in Franklin’s Gardens.”

“In terms of the importance of these back to back games, from my point of view, the way I think, it’s next game for me, so its next Saturday in Llanelli, nothing else. There probably is a bigger picture in trying to secure as many points and points are vital in this competition – but that would be in the back of your mind but you have to go over there expecting a big performance out of Munster and that’s exactly what I’m hoping for.”

And while the excitement is building on both sides of the Irish Sea – Scarlets President Phil Bennett said the Irish invasion in Llanelli will be met with warm, friendly rivalry from the Scarlets supporters with both hosts and guests ready to enjoy, respect and celebrate such a great rugby occasion.

Phil Bennett, one of the “Welsh fly-half factory” legends, played for his beloved Llanelli a total of 412 times over 14 seasons, captaining the club he devoted his career to for six seasons with 2,532 points and 132 tries to his name. He is firmly established as one of the standard-bearers of Scarlets and Llanelli sporting success.

Phil Bennett said: “Credit should go to this squad of exciting Scarlets players who have given us all something to look forward to on Saturday afternoon and for being in the position to have all to play for against Munster now.

“It’s such a big game and has all the ingredients for a Heineken Cup classic. It’s close to a rugby international being played here at our home ground with the quality of players, expectation and standard of rugby that will be on display on the pitch on Saturday. With so many travelling from Munster as well, you know just what a special day it’s going to be.

“The work and commitment that’s been given by this Scarlets coaching group to get these boys mentally and physically right and to bring forward such talent should be widely applauded and recognised. Nigel Davies, Mark Jones, Simon Easterby, Garin Jenkins, Vernon Cooper and all the back-room staff should been given huge credit for what is being achieved by these Scarlets players.

“This Saturday’s game has really captured the imagination of people across the rugby community inside and outside Wales as many of the great Scarlets European encounters have in the past and we look forward to welcoming our Irish guests.

“We know what a great and proud support Munster have, which is similar to our own and we need to more than match that on Saturday at our home. We have no doubt that Parc y Scarlets will be buzzing and you can feel the excitement building and the crowd have a massive role to play in helping lift their team.

“The home crowd factor is vital for occasions like this. If our supporters are up for it, the players will feel it and we want to show everyone what we stand for as Scarlets – passion, flair, a great brand of rugby and strong rugby values.

“It’s going to be electric and anyone who enjoys and appreciates heart and soul rugby should be there to see it.”

Ahead of this big European fixture, the Scarlets have been working on joint initiatives within their region to encourage as many young people to be part of the big match day.

A total of 21 of the region’s community clubs will form part of the match day experience either through mini rugby tournaments and pre-match parade. Junior mascots from each of the clubs will parade in their club colours around Parc y Scarlets in the build-up to the game.

A total of 800 children from across the Scarlets region will be part of the big day with Scarlets sponsor Princes Gate providing free festive Christmas Santa Hats for all children joining the match day experience from Pem
brokeshire and Ceredigion.

The clubs and schools involved are Aberystwyth, Cardigan, Carms Quins 11’s, Carmarthen Athletic Fishguard & Goodwick, Gowerton School, Haverfordwest RFC, Hendy Juniors, Kent College, Lampeter, Llangwm Senior Section, Llanidloes RFC, Narberth, Neyland, New Dock Stars, Pembroke Juniors, Pembroke, Pembroke Youth Team, Pembroke Dock Quins, Tenby, Whitland.

MATCHDAY DETAILS / NOTES

The big match kicks off at 3.40pm on Saturday 10th December 2011 with the indoor Daioni Supporters Village open for pre-match fun from 12.30pm with a capacity of 2,000 people to enjoy live entertainment for Irish guests and Scarlets supporters alike. From the renowned Scarlets hog roast, inflatables for children, mini rugby skills sessions, music, player interviews and the family indoor beer garden to live music from X-factor finalist John Adams there’s plenty to entertain the big crowd.

The Scarlets are running free buses for club supporters in their regional counties of Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion with Scarlets sponsor Princes Gate providing festive Christmas ‘Santa’ hats for all club juniors in the counties that take part.

The Scarlets are advising guests to arrive early to enjoy all the pre-match live music and entertainment. The indoor Supporters Village is free to guests with a capacity of 2,000 – so get there early. The Bars in the Concourses will be open from 1.30pm.

Tickets are still available by contacting the Scarlets ticket office on 0871 871 8088.

Rugby writer and commentator Eddie Butler, will be signing copies of his new book “Greatest Welsh 15 ever” in the Scarlets Retail Store from 2.30pm – 3pm.

Scarlets Defence Coach, former Irish international and Scarlets captain Simon Easterby will be signing copies of his new book at 5.30pm (post match) in the Scarlets Retail Store.