Scarlets secured their place in the 2015-16 European Rugby Champions Cup campaign after a dramatic victory, in the final game of the Guinness PRO12 season away to Benetton Treviso last May, saw them take sixth place in the table.
Scarlets captain Ken Owens, who was present at the official launch of the European Rugby Champions Cup last Wednesday, at the Twickenham Stoop, says that the competition always brings with it an added air of excitement.
The hooker, who missed out on representing the Scarlets in Europe last season due to injury said: “It’s the biggest competition in world rugby and there’s a certain buzz and different excitement at this time of year.
“We get the opportunity to play different teams, different players and new stadia. We’re looking forward to it. There’s a different aura around this time of year. The intensity steps up and it’s the closest you’re going to get to a test match without playing in one.”
Scarlets have been drawn in Pool 3 with Northampton Saints, Racing 92 and Glasgow Warriors who all have significant depth to their squads including global names, who shone at the Rugby World Cup.
“Having players like Dan Carter in the competition shows the strength of club rugby in the Northern Hemisphere. We’ve signed some quality from the World Cup too like DTH who was outstanding during the tournament and outstanding for us in his first two games.
“Everybody’s spoken about how difficult every group is. We’ve got to win our home games and pick up points on the road. We will take every game as it comes and enjoy playing against the best teams in Europe.”
Scarlets take on Northampton Saints on Saturday 14th November in the opening round of the Champions Cup before returning home to the Parc on Saturday 21st November to take on Dan Carter’s Racing 92.
Tickets for the European Rugby Champions Cup clashes at the Parc are available on a 3 for 2 offer. Buy now from tickets.scarlets.co.uk or call 0871 871 8088 during normal office hours.
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