Easterby says strong pre-season is key to Scarlets top four PRO12 encore

Scarlets Head Coach, Simon Easterby says the hard work in preparation put in by players and the region’s backroom team over the summer ahead of an exciting new season will be vital in securing another good start in the RaboDirect Pro12.

Easterby said that having reflected on the Scarlets’ season over the summer, the strong start the region secured in its opening games of the season were the key to their top four play-off finish in the league – an achievement the West Walians are intent on hitting again.

He said: “When we looked and reflected on last season in its entirety we could be pleased that we achieved certain goals and getting to the semi-finals was a big goal for us.

“Our top four spot was down to the strong start we had last season – and a lot of that start in the PRO12 is based on what you do in the pre-season and the hard work that goes in.

“When you get to that stage and you taste that as a rugby group – you just want to kick on and make the most of it. Looking back we missed out from losing to Treviso and then in the game away in Ulster it was only really in the last 10 minutes we came to life which was disappointing.

“Of course we all take stock and try to understand what was successful and how to better yourselves.

“And we’ve worked hard on that in this pre-season phase looking at some of how we work under pressure; discipline was an issue for us last season – we had a high penalty count and we will be looking to address that; we’ve also looked at our decision making under pressure, leadership and team work.

“These were all themes we’ve examined and scrutinised throughout the pre-season and in particular with the RAF training camp last week – it was good that we brought something different to those few days away and to take the players out of comfort zone.

“Now what’s important is that we bring that back into our rugby environment – starting from this week as we head into our first pre-season game against Exeter Chiefs on Saturday afternoon.”

For a Scarlet that has been involved with more than 280 games for the West Wales region as a player first, then captain and now Head Coach, Simon Easterby can draw on a variety of Scarlets rugby experiences in his role including the highs of European success – but says the support of his team has been very important to him in the past year.

“I have been lucky really that I have had a great group of coaches to work alongside and a very professional and competent back room staff including all our fitness and conditioning personnel, medical, and working with Garan Evans our Team Manager, who was a playing colleague of mine at the Scarlets.

“There has to be a lot of trust and loyalty between a Head Coach and the Team Manager and Garan has been a big support – as have a lot of the Scarlets guys who take work away from me; including Gareth Jenkins who continues to do outstanding work helping identify, support and develop our younger players as well as being a foundation to our rugby business and identity.

“Becoming Head Coach doesn’t mean I want to step away from the training field – if anything I want to and need to involve myself more.

“Looking back on my first year in the role there were far more demands on me and my time than I expected – but we coped with that and along with the management and the support I have had from the players in particular we have worked well together as a group. The players have been outstanding and that is the biggest part that I can do in my job – is to give the players the best possible opportunity to go out and perform.

“I believe we are doing that in terms of all the work that goes on behind the scenes across the backroom from coaches, medical staff and analysis.”

“By giving our players the best opportunities and having had the taste of top four in the Pro12 at the end of last season – that will be our collective goal again and maybe we will fulfil a little bit more of our potential this year and improve on our position”.