Heineken Cup excitement hits Parc y Scarlets as West Wales hosts European champions

The Scarlets will entertain two of the power-houses of Europe with reigning champions Leinster and this year’s European semi-finalists Clermont Auvergne set for thrilling Heineken Cup clashes with the Scarlets.

Drawn in Pool Five in the Heineken Cup 2012/13, the Scarlets positioned 18th in ERC rankings will go head-to-head against Leinster (ranked 1), Clermont Auvergne (ranked 8) and Heineken Cup new-comers, Exeter Chiefs.

Well-known to the Scarlets from their encounters in the Celtic league, Leinster have the upper hand on the Scarlets in their 23 contests to date with 14 wins to the Scarlets 8 victories against the Irish side and one draw.

Prime fixtures against the glamour French side Clermont Auvergne, with the added colour of a possible home-coming for popular former Scarlets centre Regan King, will be a highlight for Scarlets season ticket holders and a vocal home crowd.

New Scarlets Head Coach Simon Easterby has a European pedigree that speaks for itself with 56 European games and 20 points to his name and knows full well the intensity, spirit and preparation required for the Heineken Cup.

The former Irish and British Lions flanker said that Europe was the competition that lights the fire in coaches, players and Scarlets supporters alike. The newly-appointed Scarlets Head Coach who will be leading his first campaign in Europe in the hot seat said: “It’s all about the competition created by pitting yourself against the top teams in Europe and there are some real challenges for us in this draw but equally they’re exciting events to be part of both home and away.

“We’re probably in one of the toughest two pools in the draw but it’s great for us to have the European Champions; we know Leinster well from our domestic league and they have set the standard for teams in Europe with the quality they have.

“They’ll be looking for an unprecedented third title in succession, so that in itself is a big challenge for us and them. We’ll have a lot of work to do, but this Scarlets team is spirited, ambitious and eager for success and we want to pit ourselves against the best and we certainly have that in our Heineken Cup pool.

“We’ve met Clermont in Europe in 2007/8 and played them in our pre-season fixtures last summer; they have a great coaching set-up, and they like Leinster, are one of the power houses of Europe and have quality throughout. They will be targeting Europe particularly after coming so close to taking their opportunity over Leinster in the semi-final this year.

“For an added bit of spice, there’s our former Scarlet favourite Regan King to contend with at Clermont as well – so that will present another challenge in itself!

“Exeter are new-comers to Europe and again we have played them in three pre-season games over the past four years; they’ve shown how they can compete and have progressed well in recent seasons and have surprised a lot of people – they’re an effective side, well-drilled and with a good set-piece and ultimately they don’t lose a lot at home.”

Easterby added that the backing of a vocal crowd at heart and soul rugby country will be a big factor for their crucial home ties.

He said: “It’s an exciting draw for our supporters, with plenty in there to get our loyal support going. Home games will be crucial and the crowds we’re now attracting at Parc y Scarlets will give us an edge in the crucial first home fixtures in the early part of the campaign.

“It’s been very positive for us to see a big take-up in season tickets here next season and for us it’s about repaying the support our players have throughout in our region as local boys by getting off to a good start on the field like we did last season in Europe.

“We had a great start and put ourselves in a strong position in another very tough group; narrowly losing out to Munster in rounds 3 and 4 cost us dear and we’ll be very keen to put some of those wrongs right next season and take the big opportunities.”

Easterby, who knows full well the Scarlets pedigree and tradition in the Heineken Cup says it’s the competition which captures his imagination as he faces a busy summer ahead planning and working on an intense pre-season conditioning and training programme before the season kicks off in early September.

Easterby, 36, made the transition from player to coach two years ago and since then has been at the helm of the Scarlets’ defense game making a big impression at Parc y Scarlets in just two seasons. He has been core part of the Scarlets region since 1999 both as a player and coach.

He said: “I’m delighted to have been given this opportunity as Head Coach, it’s just about sunk in now and I’m really looking forward to the challenge ahead of us as a group next season.

“There is plenty within the Scarlets squad to take us to where this club belongs, competing at the top end of the European game and achieving honours in the domestic game.

“It’s an exciting prospect when you look at the players we have here, our challenge as a coaching group, is to ensure there is very little gap between the standards of performance in all our players from our best players all the way through the squad.”

“The Scarlets has been the biggest part of my professional career, it’s continued success is what drives me and motivates me.”