A sterling performance by back rower John Barclay, against his former club and reigning champions Glasgow Warriors, saw him collect the man of the match award in Scarlets’ 10-16 victory at Scotstoun Stadium.
Barclay blew away his critics playing with his heart on his sleeve in what was a heroic performance by the Scottish back row and the team as a whole.
Scarlets’ victory was the first at Scotstoun Stadium by an opposing team since November 2013 in the competition.
Speaking after the game John Barclay said: “It was good to come back. We didn’t play all that well away from home last year so it was pleasing to get off to a good start.
“If we want to get in to the top four we’ve got to start picking off the teams that finished in the top four last year. We’ve done that today, picked off the champs, people will say that they’re missing a lot of people but we’re missing some. Glasgow have a great squad, it was the perfect start.”
Barclay celebrated the victory with a man of the match award for his own performance and said he was pleased to get back on the field after missing out on selection for Scotland’s Rugby World Cup squad earlier in the week.
“I want to play rugby, I’ve had a long pre-season. I was obviously gutted on Sunday but it’s good to get back into it.
“I’m lucky to play in a team that I get on really well with the coaches, get on really well with the boys, I came back and really enjoyed the game this weekend.
“Last year I think my form was as good as it has been especially towards the latter stages of the season, I think Scarlets seems to get the most out of me. I like the way we play the game, I like the tradition that’s associated with the way we try and play the game, it’s a good place to play rugby but we’re still trying to get better. We have a young squad still, really nice to come up and get off to a good start.”
Scarlets take on Ulster Rugby, in the first home game of the season, at Parc y Scarlets this Saturday 12th September, kick-off 3pm.
Tickets are on sale now from tickets.scarlets.co.uk or by calling 0871 871 8088 (9am-5pm Monday to Friday).
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