Heineken Cup fixtures; Scarlets look ahead to big European campaign

The Scarlets open their Heineken Cup campaign with a glorious early autumn away fixture for supporters in Clermont Auvergne with the region’s players relishing the challenge of beating last year’s European semi-finalists on their well-defended home soil.

The Scarlets kick off in Europe on Saturday 13th October at Stade Marcel Michelin – where French super side Clermont Auvergne have not lost for 41 consecutive games.

The new home and club of former Scarlets favourite, centre magician Regan King, the Scarlets know that they will have to bring everything to their Heineken opener to set a marker down for their campaign and with it bring all their preparations into sharp focus ready for Round One.

Round Two will see the Scarlets face equally formidable and exciting opposition as heart and soul rugby country hosts the European Champions for a huge occasion at Parc y Scarlets on Saturday October 20th kicking off at 1.35pm.

Entertaining two of the power-houses of Europe will be thrilling Heineken Cup clashes for the Scarlets players, says Head Coach Simon Easterby.

“This certainly gives us a huge focus to hit our top form in round one,” said Easterby.

“You don’t get two rounds much tougher than these and while the odds may be stacked against us, that could work in our favour. We know we can deliver performances at big away games as underdogs and these big European occasions can be lifted by a great travelling Scarlets support too – I’m sure many down West remember Toulouse away five seasons ago.”

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

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.

Head Coach aSimon Easterby has a European pedigree as a player that speaks for itself with 56 European games 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.

Leading his first campaign in Europe in the Scarlets hot seat said: “We have to win our home ties –against Leinster as our first one is a challenge but we have the confidence of being at Parc y Scarlets and what that can bring. The players know that all games in this competition are difficult but they’ll be motivated by pitting themselves against the top teams in Europe.”

And one new face at Parc y Scarlets who will be relishing the opportunities to make a mark in the Heineken Cup this season is South African George Earle.

The Scarlets welcomed their new second row signing George Earle to the squad for pre-season training this week – with the South African lock promising to bring something new to the front five at Parc y Scarlets.

Earle, 25, who was born in Durban, has been a prominent player with the Super 15 team this year making nine appearances. The 6 ft 6″ and 17st 5 lock has impressed in the Super 15 competition this year and is highly regarded as a first-class line-out jumper and dynamic in open play.

The Cheetahs star says the opportunity to play for the Scarlets for the next three seasons was one he was delighted to have secured and the chance to experience Heineken Cup rugby and the physical encounters that Europe will bring.

Earle said: “The Scarlets play a great brand of rugby and the Heineken Cup is a fantastic tournament to be part of and that was a big draw for me. European rugby brings a harder physical edge and I’m hoping it will make me a more mature rugby player. I’m looking forward to seeing how Europe compares with Super 15 and I think the standard will be right up there and I just want to learn from that.

“Being 25, it’s obviously a key time in my rugby career and I just feel that I have experienced a lot of what South African rugby has to offer with Currie Cup and Super 15 and I was looking for a new experience and when the chance came to talk to the Scarlets, I was very excited about the opportunity to play in Wales with one of the most exciting sides around in Europe.”

Known for having a tough edge and bringing plenty of physicality to his game, Earle says he’s learnt a “few tricks” in the second row from his experience in Super 15 and hopes that he can bring something new to the dynamic in the Scarlets pack.

Earle says he’s hungry to achieve and the Scarlets are pleased to have secured another focused and physical player with a high work rate to give an added edge to their front five.

Earle added: “The Scarlets are a superb team, they play an expansive game and there’s plenty of physicality in the competitions they’re in and I’m looking forward to meeting supporters and just want to get really involved wherever I can.

“I hope the experiences I have and what I’ve learnt can bring something new to the team. It’s a team sport and you need a good combination up front in the pack as well as the backs to be a winning team. The Scarlets need a winning culture, it’s difficult to achieve if you don’t believe it and the margins now for victory are so small.

“As a player I’m not going to be standing back I want to give it my all – there’s obviously some great people and players at Parc y Scarlets and no egos – they’re level here and the group has a strong team spirit from what I’ve seen and the facilities and set-up are very impressive.”

The Scarlets European battle continues against Exeter Chiefs in the December back-to-back fixtures. The Scarlets host Exeter at home on Saturday December 8th then travel away to Sandy Park on Saturday 15th December. Rounds 5 and B are away to Leinster and then Clermont Auvergne at home in January.