As the Scarlets prepare for their Guinness PRO12 Italian job against Benetton Treviso head coach Wayne Pivac has stated the importance of getting a win on the weekend to keep the region in the top four and to remain in the mix for next season’s Champions Cup campaign.
The Guinness PRO12 will take another break after this weekend’s round nine fixtures as the Welsh regions return their attentions to the Champions and Challenge Cups respectively.
The Scarlets, who have been a part of the top flight of European rugby since its inception in the mid 1990s, are fully aware of the importance of the result against Italians Benetton Treviso on Saturday and its influence on their place in Europe next season.
The last few weeks have been injury hit ones for the West Wales region but Pivac insists his side are ready for the challenge that lies ahead before focus returns to the Champions Cup.
He said: “We’re looking forward to the challenge. It’s a really important game. We’re dealing with some changes and there’s a real focus on the squad we had at the start of the season.
“We talked about getting results early on and handing over to the internationals after the World Cup campaign but now it’s roll your sleeves up time! We’re going to have to grind this out for a period of time.”
A result against Treviso, on the weekend, will keep the Scarlets in the top four and the play-off positions; a must says Pivac.
“We’ll be calling on depth of squad during this challenging time. It’s a tricky one this game, it’s a must win for us to remain where we are and stay in the race really.
“We have a major focus on improving where we are in PRO12. We have to be in Europe to really kick on in Europe and a top six in the PRO12 is a must, we want to improve on last year. Everyone wants to be in the play-offs.
“After Treviso we go back to drawing board and look at the permutations for Champions Cup. We want to do well in those games aswell.”
Scarlets return to the Parc for Champions Cup action against Glasgow Warriors on Saturday 19th December, kick-off 7.45pm.
Tickets are on sale now by clicking here
You can also purchase match tickets by calling the ticket office on 0871 871 8088 between 9am and 5pm weekdays.
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