Scarlets go top table in Europe and lie in wait for big Tigers showdown in Parc y Scarlets

The Scarlets say they will be ready and eager for their next high intensity European encounter when Leicester Tigers visit Parc y Scarlets in mid January for the fifth round of the Heineken Cup.

Following a big win out in Treviso, the Scarlets took a maximum 10 points from their back-to-back European games against the Italian side and with it set the pace in Pool 5 this weekend with 15 points – taking poll position in their group.

A performance full of conviction and confidence brought Heineken Cup victory out in Treviso for the Scarlets and was billed as by the region’s head coach as one of the most important games of the Scarlets campaign this season.

Nigel Davies had last week emphasised the importance of taking control in Pool 5 and cementing a growing winning habit from a Scarlets squad which despite a number of injuries to high profile international players, looked comfortable and accomplished out in Treviso.

Speaking after the Italian match Davies said: “People aren’t giving the players who played today the credit they deserve.  These guys are the stars of our resurgence at the Scarlets and they have stood up this year time and again and pushed our more recognised names.

“We have invested in this group of players with some of our more well-known players missing and the fact is that they have delivered.

“They have shown they are worthy of wearing the Scarlets shirt through their sheer commitment and determination this season and the way they are going about their business is just a pleasure to behold.

“I didn’t have any trepidation coming here without our bigger names and this group have shown that they are more than capable of achieving and bringing home big Scarlets results.

“This is one of our biggest wins in Europe, when you think where we have been in the last two seasons.” said Davies.

Davies added that with confidence building in the group, the Scarlets would be relishing the opportunities presented by their next two Magners League derby fixtures against rivals the Ospreys at the Liberty Stadium on Boxing Day and then the Dragons at home on New Year’s Day.

“There is real confidence building in this squad and they are really playing for each other.  We have developed a strong group of players who are heart and soul Scarlets willing to battle for the shirt, and when they are handed opportunities they are taking them with both hands and showing the ability and potential we have in this region.”

“We’ll look forward to the Tigers coming here in January – our trip to Welford Road was the one performance this season which really knocked us and we need to put that right. It will be an interesting battle that one.”

Davies remained cool-headed about the Scarlets chances of making a Euro knock-out place.  “We’ve tried not to put any boundaries on what we can and cannot do nor what we expect of each other or want to achieve as a group.,” he said.

“Yes, we have targeted qualification and the quarter-finals of Europe and we are on track. We know you have to have one win away from home and we have done that now in a difficult place, which is hugely encouraging for us. But we still have plenty to do.”

“The bonus point could be very important for us and with seven minutes to go we went for the jugular which was the plan if we were comfortably going to get the win – it was good to see the boys execute that.

“We focused hard on our play without the ball in the run-up to this game and after we secured the bonus point, we produced a passage of play when we didn’t have the ball that kept them out and that is a huge mental battle we won then.”

Scarlets skipper Johnathan Edwards said the team had shown a tough mental edge to secure the win. “The travel out wasn’t the best but we knew we had a job on our hands here after what happened losing to Treviso at the start of the season.  The Italian sides are no mugs on their home soil.

“The delays and disruption to our travel could have been a factor, but not with this team – we’ve got a great group of players with the right attitude and all they want to be doing is pulling that Scarlets jersey on.

“We knew it was going to be tough but the main focus was to get the win. I think we dealt with their comeback well and we had got ahead by two scores which was crucial to get the bonus point.

“When they scored the driving lineout in the first half it was a big point in the game. Vernon, an old head, knew the score and called us all in and we talked about the first ten minutes of the second half.  To keep up the pressure and come away with a bonus point win is going to be huge for our momentum and confidence.

“Last week, we were in the changing room after the final whistle and it was a very frustrated place to be even though we had won with a bonus point- because we were disappointed with our performance.

“The boys were down even though we had won at home.  We have some smiles on faces now and it takes some pressure off me because this was third time as captain and my first win.“

Edwards paid tribute to the travelling Scarlets supporters were once again a huge boost to the team and made themselves heard in Treviso throughout saying their support was appreciated by every player.

The Scarlets have won 11 and drawn one of their 16 competitive games this season, with six home wins out of eight (plus a draw against Leinster) with five wins away from home at Treviso, London Irish, Cardiff Blues, Newport Gwent Dragons and Aironi.

They are currently placed 2^ndin the Magners League, sit in top spot in Pool 5 of the Heineken Cup and are leading point scorers in the LV=Cup.